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Bruno Tonioli will return to Strictly Come Dancing judging panel for the arena tour next year.

The tour will start in Birmingham on January 20 and run for 37 shows across the UK, ending in London’s O2 area on February 13.

Tonioli, 65, was forced to pull out of the judging panel for this year’s Strictly series due to the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainties around travel rules.

The Italian judge was starring in the American series Dancing With The Stars, where he is also a regular judge.

Bruno Tonioli said: “I am absolutely delighted to be back on the judging panel for the Strictly Arena Tour for the first time in two years.

“I’ve missed my fellow judges, I’ve missed the glitz and glamour of the tour and I’ve missed the amazing audiences that come to see us all over the country – I hope you have missed me too.

“The fans are really in for a treat – next year’s arena tour is going to be simply fantastico.”

Dancer Anton Du Beke replaced Tonioli on the BBC show's judging panel alongside head judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.

The arena tour will be directed by Revel Horwood and see a whole host of celebrity performances with professional dancers from the show.

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The audience can vote for their favourite dance each night during the live shows.

Tickets are available to purchase via Ticketmaster.

Shirley Ballas said: “I’m really looking forward to rejoining Bruno and Craig on the Strictly live tour.

“The audiences at the arena shows are amazing – I can’t wait for January when we get the show on the road.”

Revel Horwood said: “Next year is going to be bigger and better than ever before.

“With Bruno coming back to join us on the judging panel, this your will be just fab-u-lous.”