Bruno Tonioli was born in Ferrara in northern Italy in 1955. He begun his professional career as a dancer with the Paris-based company La Grande Eugene before joining the Lyndsay Kemp Company. He has worked extensively in film, theatre and TV - and also in the music business, choreographing videos, stage shows and tours for artists including Tina Turner, Sting, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Freddy Mercury, Boy George and Duran Duran. His TV credits include Not the Nine O'Clock News, Absolutely Fabulous, French & Saunders, Top of the Pops and The Royal Variety Show. Since 2004, Bruno has been a judge on BBC1's smash show Strictly Come Dancing; since 2005 he has also been a judge on ABC's equally successful show Dancing With the Stars in the USA