Strictly's Bruno Tonioli puffs on a cigarette in LA

Strictly's Bruno Tonioli puffs on a cigarette in LA



Bruno Tonioli has been letting loose in Los Angeles after missing his first Strictly Come Dancing live show in 13 years last Saturday.

And the 61-year-old star certainly looked to be feeling the impact of his revelry as he was spotted at LAX Airport on Wednesday while puffing a cigarette and looking drained ahead of his return to the UK.

Just hours before, he was enjoying another night on the town on as he partied with handsome male model Matt Law, 29, at Hollywood's Sunset Marquis with an onlooker telling MailOnline there was 'chemistry' between the pair.



Bruno had skipped Strictly due to a clash with the show's US equivalent Dancing With The Stars, yet made no secret of his chilled out evenings across the pond, in which he lived it up with pals.

It seems he was perhaps drained ahead of his return to the UK as he peeled on a pair of sunglasses while puffing on a cigarette and heading into the airport.



Clad in a skin-tight white T-shirt, he showed off his sun-kissed complexion and age-defying physique yet his facial expression appeared slightly woebegone.

Shortly before, he seemed in excellent spirits as he cuddled up to his friends, including Lizzie Cundy, 47, in the snaps of his earlier night out.



Bruno wasn't afraid to show off his gym-honed physique as he wore his shirt unbuttoned to expose his pecs.  Matt also showed off his physique as he highlighted his muscular arms in a fitted black T-shirt teamed with jeans.

An onlooker told MailOnline: 'Bruno kept giving Matt hugs. There was definitely chemistry between them but obviously an age gap. Bruno was very touchy-feely! They sat close and everyone were looking over as the table was all laughing.'

Lizzie was also with the group and ensured she'd dress to impress as always as she dazzled in a scarlet plunging mini dress and glamorous choker.



The trio's outing was their second night out in a row, with the group spotted partying in West Hollywood the day before. 

Bruno's night out came after Tess Daly revealed that Bruno was unable to appear in Strictly due to a 'a very busy work schedule'.

Despite simultaneously working on SCD and DWTS, the star had never previously missed a show, leaving fans devastated at his absence.

A BBC spokesman told MailOnline: 'As was always the plan, Bruno Tonioli is not on the judging panel this weekend due to a very busy work schedule.

'He will be back as normal for our Halloween special and the rest of the series.



A source told the website Bruno couldn't move his commitment, saying:'They've known for some time but it's a new situation for them to be in with a judge down.'

The popular judge was not replaced, with head honcho Shirley Ballas, along with Craig Revel-Horwood and Darcey Bussell judging as a trio.

Bruno juggles his judging responsibilities on Strictly with his job as a panellist on the US version of the hit show Dancing With The Stars alongside former head judge Len Goodman, which airs at the same time as the British show.

This involves him travelling to Los Angeles every week where he spends three days before flying back to film Strictly on the Saturday.

The resilient star has followed this gruelling schedule for 12 years.