Bruno: My Story

by Bruno Tonioli

Meet Bruno Tonioli— Strictly Come Dancing judge, wildcat choreographer, and stardust magnet. With his irrepressible personality and Italian exuberance, Bruno has become a TV sensation, settling the fate of Britain's ballroom hopefuls during the nation's favorite Saturday night show. Bruno's journey is mind-blowing. He fled from home at eighteen to join the dance company La Grande Eugene and traveled around Europe; he later coached the actress Goldie Hawn as a dance instructor, and orchestrated lavish productions for TV, film, and pop videos, where he worked alongside The Rolling Stones, Freddie Mercury, Duran Duran, and Tina Turner. Along the way Bruno has tangoed with high fashion, performed the cha cha cha with untameable pop vixens Bananarama, and danced an emotional waltz with bereavement and breakdown before settling in the perfect location—a seat on the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing , where he wowed the nation at home and in Hollywood with his passion for dance and an excitable turn of phrase. My Story tears away the glittery wrapping of this most exuberant and loveable of TV stars. Strap yourselves in for a wild and sexy ride with more frills than Versailles.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

290 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Bruno Tonioli is an Italian choreographer, dancer, and TV personality. He appears as a judge on the British television dance competition Strictly Come Dancing and its American adaptation Dancing with the Stars on ABC TV in the US

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Strictly so my mum bought me this book on a whim (panic present) and I finally got around to reading it. There was some stuff I knew and some I didn’t but I really liked Bruno’s drive and his perseverance. There were some things that irked me a little about the writing. I don’t know if Bruno actually wrote it but there were some exclamations in there that I have never heard Bruno say and sounded a bit British. I was a little upset with Bruno about his lack of empathy for Arlene although I know he was dealing with bereavement at the time. Other than this though he seems like a nice man and he has carved himself a path in a difficult business through hard work and a bit of luck. My eyes may never recover from some of the photos in this book though.

[Nicola Greer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable but quite superficial although he does seem to have more about him than Aled Jones lol

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book because it was lighthearted. Bruno had quite a few heart rendering experiences I could relate to, especially the passing of his parents. His high level of perseverance has led him to many top class positions and his over exuberance and character on SCD becomes paramount in his descriptions in the book.

[Karen G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not technically a good book. The writing is so conversational it is almost hard to read. It was fun in a so bad it is good kind of way. I would only recommend to people who will read with a grain of salt and love Bruno.

[Robert Baldock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, engaging story of the craziest SCD judge! It's inspiring as Bruno reflects on his childhood & how he's followed his instinct throughout his life. He's not someone with a plan, but he's taken opportunities which have worked well for him.

[Sara Mallet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting life he had lived. What a great read.

[Jeff Tonks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another charity shop autobiography, this one at least seemed to be written by the subject.
And written in the same manic madcap way as Bruno's showbiz persona, which was all a little jarring. Charting his early life in a small Italian village to success on stage and TV. Most of which, to be fair, was achieved through plenty of hard work and a fair amount of luck, being in the right place at the right time certainly helped in the early stages.
Some interesting parts on his work as a choreographer on TV adverts, pop videos and generally getting people to present themselves better.
A few reflections on his family life but more on his friendships and relationships would have given some balance to all the froth.
Contains a selection of photos to prove the guy certainly rates himself quite highly.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the fact that this wasn't a "kiss & tell" - an expose or other famous stars' failings - has got to be the most significant feature of this book! Bruno dealt quite forthrightly about his own life & things that he'd done / had happened, but he didn't go around naming & shaming others in the industry, which so many "celebrities" nowadays do seem to so, so Bruno, for integrity I give you "10"!!

All in all a very interesing into Strictly's most colourful judge! :)

[Bookwurms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read autobiographies but I love Bruno on Dancing with the stars and so I thought I would read his book. Like everything else he does in his life he wrote this book well! I found it very entertaining and informative about his life. I feel like I know him much better now. A great story.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest, outrageous and very funny. Bruno writes exactly like he talks and is fantastically entertaining. Loved it.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found myself tittering out loud through most of this book. Really entertaining.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fab read.. What a life he has had, and how he came right from the bottom. Life in his tiny town was tough , he could not survived there , and such a lucky break ,,

[Lesley Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. Funny, witty and moving. If you love Strictly you'll love Bruno's story.