Bruno Tonioli is set to make a ‘big comeback’ to Strictly Come Dancing later this year

Bruno Tonioli is set to make a comeback to Strictly Come Dancing later this year after ditching the show amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.

The 64-year-old judge would usually jet between London and Los Angeles to sit on the panel for both the long-running UK show as well as its US counterpart Dancing With The Stars.

But due to the global coronavirus pandemic impacting travel restrictions it was reported that the Italian choreographer had favoured the US version when forced to pick just one of the shows. 

It is thought that BBC bosses are still keen to get Bruno to the UK and hope that he could make a comeback for the Strictly final later this year.

A source told The Daily Star: ‘Everyone at Strictly was devastated when they found out Bruno was going to pull out of this year’s series. 

‘Travel restrictions in place because of coronavirus meant he couldn’t fly back and forth to do both shows this year, so he picked Dancing With The Stars. But Strictly’s producers were still keen for him to make an appearance if it was possible.’ 

The source added: ‘Dancing With The Stars usually ends a few weeks before Strictly’s final. So the plan is for Bruno to jet back to the UK as soon as he’s finished with his ­commitments in the US. 

‘There will be enough time for him to do two weeks in quarantine if needed. And then he will be free to make his big comeback on Strictly.’ 

MailOnline has contacted Bruno’s representatives for comment. 

The news comes after fellow Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, who has appeared on the show alongside Bruno since 2004, said he was confident the choreographer will make a ‘triumphant return’ in 2021.

He said: ‘They might throw guest judges in for fun. Then when everything’s back to normal, Bruno can make his triumphant return!’

In recent weeks, various big-name stars have been mentioned as a possible replacement for Bruno including Cheryl.

But Craig said he doubted whether the 37-year-old pop star would appear on the upcoming series, saying: ‘Lovely girl, but I don’t think it will happen.’

This year’s Strictly is set to start in October instead of the usual start in August and will be several weeks shorter than normal. 

Last week it was reported that BBC bosses have scrapped plans for celebrities and professional dancers to isolate together.

In a last minute change of plan, the couples will instead be in a ‘bubble’ system and there will be regular testing ahead of the live shows, The Sun reports.

However, the dancers are still said to be isolating together this month so that they can pre-record group routines. 

A TV source told the publication: ‘The idea of holing sexy dancers up with celebrities made it impossible to sign anybody up.’

It comes after Strictly Come Dancing bosses denied celebrities such as Michelle Keegan and Jessie J declined to be on the show this year because of the ‘low’ £60,000 appearance fee. 

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline on Wednesday, a Strictly source has contested reports that several celebrities had turned them down and said only those who have signed onto the show were offered a fee.

The source explained: ‘Everyone we have offered a fee to this year have been confirmed as part of the line up, so nobody has declined appearing in the show after we’ve begun negotiations.’