Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli has sensationally revealed that Simon Cowell tried to tempt him away from the BBC talent show and also hinted it was the money that probably enticed Alesha Dixon to their ITV rivals.
Alesha quit Strictly to join the panel of Britain’s Got Talent earlier this month and while Len Goodman has attacked Simon for his sneaky behaviour, Bruno admits that he was not surprised.
According to Digital Spy the TV judge said: “I should have known because I know Simon very well. He should have told me. It wasn't a shock.”
When asked about the motivation for the singer's defection to ITV Bruno admitted that sadly it could have been a matter of the wages. The dance expert said: "Only she knows, but it's probably something to do with lots and lots of money."
“I do Strictly for love, not money. You can't compare our salaries to The X Factor judges' because the BBC would never pay that."
Bruno, who is close friends with Simon revealed that even though he has poached Alesha Dixon, Strictly still have the upper hand because secretly the TV mogul would like to be on the show himself. Bruno added: “Simon likes [Strictly] so much he'd buy it if he could."
"And his mum loves it too, which doesn't help.”
Despite the fierce rivalry between the ITV and the BBC, Bruno has not ruled out working with Simon in the future and admits that the 53 year-old has tried to get him involved in some of his projects and that in the future he may well take up his offer.
The flamboyant star said: “He's asked me about things. I can't exclude the possibility. It would be great to do something with him, but it has to be the right thing."
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