Strictly Come Dancing will reportedly not replace Bruno Tonioli with Cheryl if he’s unable to take part this year due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The choreographer, 64, who currently resides in Los Angeles, recently gave his blessing for the singer, 36, to fill in his role if he’s unable to return.
Yet according to reports, the hit BBC One dancing show has no plans for Cheryl to replace Bruno and will instead switch to a three judges format.
On board: Strictly Come Dancing will reportedly not replace Bruno Tonioli (far right) with Cheryl if he’s unable to take part this year due to COVID-19 travel restrictions
Bruno has spent the last 15 years jetting between the US and the UK for Strictly and its American counterpart Dancing With The Stars.
If he’s unable to return, it will leave just Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood on the judging panel.
A source told The Sun: ‘As things stand, Bruno won’t be replaced and they’ll switch to three judges.
‘The BBC hope the rules on flying will be relaxed by the autumn which means Bruno should be able to take part.
Approval: The choreographer, 64, who currently resides in Los Angeles, recently gave his blessing for the singer, 36, to fill in his role if he’s unable to return (pictured in 2019)
‘They don’t want to go through a long process of replacing him when he could have done it anyway so it’s very doubtful Cheryl will be there, not as a judge anyway.’
Cheryl’s representative vehemently denied the claims and told MailOnline: ‘There has not been one conversation about Cheryl working as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing this year. This is just a fabricated story from start to finish.’
It comes after Bruno gave his blessing for Cheryl to replace him on Strictly Come Dancing should he be unable to return this year.
The choreographer, who currently resides in Los Angeles, has spent the last 15 years jetting between the US and the UK for Strictly and its American counterpart Dancing With The Stars.
Claims: Yet according to reports, the hit BBC One dancing show has no plans for Cheryl to replace Bruno and will instead switch to a three judges format with just Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas (L-R)
However, with current travel restrictions in place amid the coronavirius pandemic, it may mean that Bruno could be forced to miss the latest series of the BBC show, and he has no objection to the Girls Aloud singer, 36, filling his spot.
Restrictions on flights as well as entry to America means that Bruno may only be able to appear in one of the shows, unless international travel situation greatly improves.
And should he be unable to join fellow judges Shirley, Motsi and Craig on Strictly, he’s happy for Cheryl to take his place.
He told The Sun: ‘If Cheryl does end up doing it there would be nothing wrong with that. She’s a lovely girl. I like her.
Denied! Cheryl’s representative vehemently denied the claims and told MailOnline: ‘There has not been one conversation about Cheryl working as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing this year. This is just a fabricated story from start to finish.’ (pictured in 2019)
‘Of course she’s not me, but we’re all different. We all have different things to offer but I’ve heard nothing concrete.’
Cheryl is of course no stranger to a judging panel, having been a judge on both the X Factor and The Greatest Dancer, before its axe earlier this year.
Bruno has appeared on both Strictly and Dancing With The Stars since they began in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
He has previously been replaced on the Strictly by The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air star Alfonso Ribeiro on two occasions due to clashes with filming on the American show.
Bruno explained that he leaves America for the UK on Wednesdays to film Strictly before jetting back on Sundays, but now such travel would be ‘impossible’.
He added to the publication: ‘Under normal circumstances I take a deep breath and do the travel. I love the show and love to do it and normally I’m destroyed by Christmas, but this year is different for everyone. Under the current restrictions they just won’t allow it. I don’t know what’s going to happen.’
It comes as Cheryl was announced as odd-on favourite to waltz on to the Strictly panel in Bruno’s place.
Bookies Coral told The Sun: ‘With doubts over Bruno Tonioli’s availability this year, we have slashed the odds on Cheryl being a judge on Strictly in 2020.
‘Cheryl has been linked with being a contestant on Strictly for a while and they may just get their target this year, but in the judges’ chair, rather than the dance floor.’
Busy bee: Bruno has spent the last 15 years jetting between the US and the UK for Strictly and its American counterpart Dancing With The Stars (pictured in 2019)
Meanwhile, Strictly bosses have revealed that this year’s series will be shorter than usual and stars will be in ‘couple bubbles’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following months of speculation as to whether to hugely popular BBC ballroom show would go ahead this winter, it has now been confirmed that it will be back on screens, but with major changes as Britain emerges from a stringent lockdown.
A statement released to MailOnline reads: ‘The Strictly Come Dancing team are doing everything they can to bring the nation plenty of Strictly magic later this year.
‘To ensure we deliver the high standards audiences know and love, and in light of the ongoing considerations around COVID-19, this year’s series of Strictly will have a slightly shorter run than usual.
‘The safety of our cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us and further updates will be made in due course.’
Cut: Meanwhile, Strictly bosses have revealed that this year’s series will be shorter than usual and stars will be in ‘couple bubbles’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic (pictured are judges, L-R, Bruno, Motsi, Shirley and Craig)