Bruno Tonioli teases he won't 'copy' former judges on BGT as he replaces David Walliams

Bruno Tonioli has teased that he will be adding his own "personal spin" to his role on Britain's Got Talent (BGT), rather than him "copy" what previous judges have done.

The professional dancer, 67, made the remark ahead of the ITV talent show returning for its new series later this week, with viewers set to see his debut on the judging panel.

He joined the judging panel earlier this year following the departure of comedian David Walliams, 51 - who had been a judge on BGT for a decade, having first appeared in 2012.

Bruno joins remaining judges Simon Cowell, 63, Alesha Dixon, 44, and Amanda Holden, 52, on the panel for the new series, which is hosted by Ant and Dec, both 47.

Britain's Got Talent returns for its new series later this week (ITV)

Bruno has spoken about becoming a judge on BGT ahead of the new series launching over the weekend, with him saying that the experience has been "incredible" so far.

He said: "I've had such a good time! Really, really, really good. Because it is completely new for me, I told Simon, I never watched the show before. But I never watch anything I'm in, I never even watched Strictly or Dancing With the Stars.

The judge commented about his approach: "I want to feel free to give it my own personal spin, not copy what someone before me has done, if that makes sense."

He continued: "And the truth is that the talent really excites me because I love watching new talent. This is like live theatre. It's a proper variety show like we used to get.

"And I always loved that. Let me tell you, some of the talent we’ve seen during auditions ... absolutely incredible. Wow!"

Bruno Tonioli has spoken about being a judge on the ITV show ahead of his debut airing (ITV)

He has said that fellow judge Alesha Dixon had given him some advice about the role (ITV)

Discussing working with the other three judges on the show, he said: "It's like meeting up with your friends and having a laugh. And let me tell you, my darling, we just went off!"

He teased that Alesha - whom he had previously been a judge alongside on Strictly Come Dancing - had given him some advice before his first stint on the BGT panel.

"[She] gave me a brief, but then I forgot everything she told me! I think that was obvious when I pressed my golden buzzer at the wrong time on the first day," he said.

Britain's Got Talent returns for its new series on Saturday (April 15) from 8pm on ITV and ITVX. It will continue the following evening (April 16) from 7.45pm on ITV and ITVX.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.