Bruno Tonioli got red-faced when he accidentally groped fellow judge Shirley Ballas during the Strictly Come Dancing tour in Birmingham on Sunday.
The TV judge, 66, was criticizing last year’s Strictly winners Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice after their tango when he made the misstep.
Praising the dance partners for their ‘passion’, Bruno put his hands around Shirley, 61, to demonstrate a move but accidentally grabbed her chest.
Embarrassing: Bruno Tonioli had a red face when he accidentally touched fellow judge Shirley Ballas during the Strictly Come Dancing tour in Birmingham on Sunday
Realizing his mistake, he said, “Oh sorry my love, I apologize.”
Shirley burst out laughing at the incident as fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood jokingly put her face in her hands.
As the laughter died down, host Janette Manrara said: “Are you okay, Shirley? OK, Bruno continues the dance.
Bruno continued his praise, saying, “Everything was exquisite, and the shape. What was so special, she gives meaning, intention, purpose to everything. You played the dance, you played it beautifully.
Accident: The TV judge, 66, was criticizing last year’s Strictly winners Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice after their tango when he made the misstep
Bruno missed judging Strictly last year as he chose to stay in America and judge Dancing With The Stars amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It comes after Shirley weighed in on romance rumors surrounding the show’s current run as she was asked about Lorraine’s claims from Tuesday.
Earlier this month, MailOnline exclusively revealed that Nadiya Bychkova split from her fiancé last year, and the Slovenian dancer is now believed to be in a relationship with fellow pro Kai Widdrington.
When probed about rumors of secret tour romances, Shirley coyly alluded to tour romances, but insisted that “it wasn’t for her to say.”
Red-faced: Shirley burst out laughing at the incident as fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood jokingly put her face in his hands
Lorraine Kelly, 62, asked: ‘I just wonder if you’re some kind of Aunt Shirley with all this…romances…what’s going on? Everyone is having a great time!
To which Shirley replied, “You know, romance and dance; things that you know… I don’t really know what’s going on to be honest.
“It’s not up to me to say who is what, where and when. There are always rumors that you know Lorraine.
His coy comments come after sources said Kai, 26, and Nadiya, 32, are “great together” and “have been dating for months”.
Slip: Realizing his mistake, Bruno said: ‘Oh sorry my love, I apologize’
The couple are said to have “closed up” following Nadiya’s split from her fiancé Matija Škarabot.
The duo were also spotted heading to a hotel together 15 minutes after their Strictly co-stars and put on a touchscreen, Kai rubbing his hand against Nadiya’s mother.
A viewer told The Sun: “Kai and Nadiya didn’t seem at all secretive about their relationship – they’re a couple like any other.”
Another added: “Kai stood outside the hotel for about 15 minutes and waited for everyone else in the tour group to check in – but Nadiya arrived shortly after.”
The newspaper adds that ‘Nadiya and Matija actually broke up months ago’ and footballer Matija is ‘furious’ with recent reports regarding their love life.
Coy: Strictly’s Shirley appeared to confirm tour romance rumors amid claims that Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington are dating, as she appeared on Tuesday’s episode of Lorraine
Hot new couple? Earlier this month MailOnline exclusively revealed that Nadiya Bychkova has split from her fiancé and will now be dating fellow pro Kai Widdrington
Last week, The Sun claimed Nadiya – who has been seen without her engagement ring in recent days – and Kai’s behavior has “raised eyebrows” behind the scenes.
A source told the publication, “Nadiya is incredibly attractive and it certainly raised some eyebrows.”
The newspaper also claims the couple dined together in Birmingham while on tour earlier this week.
A bystander claims they walked to a bar and chatted for two hours before returning to the hotel.
Nadiya immersed herself in intense rehearsals for the tour, after her celebrity co-star on last year’s show, Dan Walker, 44, became “a pillar of strength and support” following his split.
Lorraine probed, “I just wonder if you’re some kind of Aunt Shirley with all this…romances…what’s going on?” Everyone is having a great time!
Shirley said, “You know, romance and dance; things that you know… I don’t really know what’s going on to be honest. “It’s not for me to say who is what, where and when”
The dancer is single after ending her engagement to Slovenian footballer Matija, 33, as MailOnline exclusively revealed this month.
It was also revealed that her 2021 series partner, BBC Breakfast host Dan, had been there for her during the split.
Sources close to the stunning dancer have revealed that she opened up to Dan after coming to terms with the fact that her long-distance relationship with Matija was no longer working.
Dan has been married to his wife Sarah for 21 years and the couple have three children.
A source told MailOnline: ‘Dan and Nadiya have such a great bond and he has been a pillar of strength and support for her after the split with Matija.
Separation: The dancer is single after ending her engagement to Slovenian footballer Matija, 33, as MailOnline exclusively revealed this month
“The bond between them started during Strictly, leaving the cast and crew amazed at how close they became. They were literally inseparable and got along so well and it continues even now that the show is over.
Another source added: ‘Dan supported Nadiya with everything, including her breakup, which only made their partnership stronger.
“He even bonded with his mother and daughter, who really enjoyed watching them dance together on Strictly.
“Dan and Nadiya have a deep and special bond, which has really helped her move on with her new life after the separation.”
Close: Nadiya immersed herself in the tour after her celebrity partner from last year’s series, Dan Walker, 44, became a “pillar of strength and support” after his split
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