Bruno Tonioli on His Future With Dancing With the Stars: "I'll Be There" as Long as the Show Wants Him

Bruno Tonioli is looking back at his extensive tenure on Dancing With the Stars while weighing what comes next.

The 70-year-old choreographer and performer, who debuted on the series during its first season in 2005, will be returning for Season 35 later this year. When asked about the possibility of stepping away from the show, he offered a straightforward answer.

"The thing with me, I'm kind of the least planning person," Tonioli told TVLine. "I love my job. I really, really enjoy it. That's really the reason. I enjoy the public."

He highlighted the energy he experiences during tapings, comparing the audience connection to a theatrical setting. "It's like a Broadway show…there is such instant feedback you get from the audience," he explained.

The judges also expressed his enthusiasm for the contestants themselves. "The kids really excite me, I'm not making it up. They deliver work of the highest standard and I'm always excited about watching what they're going to do," he shared.

When it comes to his departure timeline, Tonioli made his position clear: "Until they [don't] want me, I'll be there. Because I really love the show. I really do."

Upon hearing that the show wouldn't be the same without him, he demurred slightly. "Oh, I don't know about that. I hope so! [Hopefully], we never find out, darling," he said with humor.

In other Season 35 news, professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy has responded positively to learning that Summer House star Ciara Miller selected him as her top choice for a dance partner on the competition series.