TV personality Bruno Tonioli has hailed the “incredible” US singer Frank Sinatra, adding: “There has never been anyone like him.”
The Italian choreographer, 70, also praised the importance of London’s West End and musical theatre, and said he hopes the new biographical musical chronicling Sinatra’s life will “inspire generations”.
Sinatra: The Musical chronicles the explosive rise and fall, and subsequent comeback, of the musician and actor – who is widely regarded as one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century.
Sinatra, who died in 1998 aged 82, is famed for popular tracks including My Way, New York, New York and Strangers In The Night and also won two Oscars in his varied, decades-long showbiz career.
At the premiere of the new West End production, Tonioli expressed his love for the musician, telling the Press Association: “I’ve always been a great admirer.
“I read everything, I have his records.
“He’s incredible.
“He has the best phrasing, the delivery of the song, playing with the rhythms – it’s unique.
“There has never been anyone like him.
“He was brilliant.”
The star, known for serving as a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, also went on to praise how “amazing” musical theatre is.
Tonioli said: “It’s the hardest form for a performer.
“You have to be able to do everything right, and it’s incredibly hard work.
“The passion and the talent I’ve seen is outstanding.
“These people love what they do and they’re excellent at it, and it inspires new generations of kids that one day will be on the West End stage, so I love it.”
Tonioli was flanked by stars at the event at the Aldwych Theatre in London, including Dame Arlene Phillips – who also served alongside him as an original judge on Strictly.
The star, known for her role in 1970s dance troupe Hot Gossip, shared Tonioli’s enthusiasm for musical theatre and told PA: “I think the art of dance is life affirming.
“The art of dance is the art of walking, you can make it look like dance.
“It’s not possibile that you can’t dance because you can’t dance, because it’s walking to music – and that’s my passion, and helping, teaching.”
Dame Arlene, who wore a patterned black blouse and plain black trousers to the event, also said she is a “massive fan” of the chart-topping singer.
Other celebrities braving the heatwave to attend the premiere included pop star Sinitta, singer-songwriter Matt Goss and music mogul Simon Cowell, as well as Spider-Man star Marisa Tomei.
They were joined by model and actress Ellie Goldstein, TV personality Charlene Douglas and Tina Sinatra – the daughter of the old Hollywood star.
