Bruno Tonioli looks set to miss this year's 'Strictly Come Dancing' series as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bruno Tonioli
The 64-year-old judge is also a panellist on the US version, 'Dancing with the Stars', and he is said to have told 'Strictly' bosses he will be staying in the States for the time being, meaning he looks likely to miss out on the British series because it is difficult to fly back and forth due to the virus.
A source said: "Things have been up in the air as everyone works out what is going to be possible. But Bruno has had to make a decision.
"There is no way to travel back and forth at the moment, so he's told bosses in the UK that unfortunately he will be staying over there.
"He spends a lot of his time in the States now, and the truth is he does earn a lot more from the US version.
"The hope is things might change and he'll be able to make at least a guest appearance."
While Bruno - who has been a 'Strictly' judge since 2004 - has previously been temporarily replaced by Alfonso Ribeiro mid-series, it looks unlikely that anyone will be drafted onto the panel instead of him this year.
The source added to The Sun newspaper: "A decision has been taken that it's Bruno or nobody.
"There won't be any replacement. He's one of a kind and a huge part of the show in the UK."
It comes after Bruno recently admitted he would approve of Cheryl Tweedy replacing him on the panel if he couldn't fly back to the UK for shows.
He said: "If Cheryl does end up doing it there would be nothing wrong with that. She's a lovely girl. I like her.
"Of course she's not me, but we're all different. We all have different things to offer but I've heard nothing concrete.
"For years and years I've spent two days of each week on the plane flying between London and LA.
"I leave America on Wednesday and come back every Sunday but now it's impossible and, because of the current travel restrictions, it's beyond my control.
"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."
The BBC recently confirmed 'Strictly' will go ahead this year, but with a "slightly shorter run" than usual.