Watch BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing touching tribute to the late judge Len Goodman
Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro promises fans that the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars will honor the late head judge Len Goodman five months after his death. But across the pond, the British version of the show, Strictly Come Dancing has aired its own touching tribute.
In this clip from the show, which recently premiered its new season on the BBC, the cast shared a few emotional memories.
“In April this year, the undisputed king of ballroom Len Goodman sadly passed away,” host Claudia Winkleman shared. “He was part of Strictly Come Dancing from the very beginning, and he was crucial to the success of the show. He meant so much to all of us and we’d like to share some of our favourite memories of Len with you.”
“I think of him every day”
“He’d lived a life and he brought all that experience to the show,” Strictly judge Anton Du Beke remembers. “He would tell you you’d danced awfully, but in such a nice way you sort of didn’t mind. Len is somebody you would want to have as a friend and I was fortunate enough to have Len as a friend for many years.”
“There’s a song by Matt Monro and the song is ‘I’ll only miss him when I think of him, but I think of him every day,'” said Anton.
Craig Revel Horwood grew emotional as he spoke about his friendship with Len. “I don’t think I’ll meet anyone as funny,” he remarked. “He was a person that really made other people smile. I just absolutely adored our little arguments and that’s sort of what bonded us and gave us a really fantastic friendship.”
He added: “I would love to say goodbye to him.”
Len was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, which preceded Dancing with the Stars, from 2004 through 2016, when he gave up the job to concentrate on DWTS.
Dancing with the Stars host Alfonso Ribeiro promises the show is planning an “amazing” tribute
While speaking with People magazine after the season 32 casting announcement on GMA last week, Alfonso assured fans, “I can guarantee you that every one of those pros will be making sure that the routines are still designed for Len,” he explained. “I know I’ve talked to a few of them and they will be putting in specific steps that Len used to love, just to make sure that the content is still there for Len.”
And just like Strictly Come Dancing did last week, Alfonso confirms that the show is “looking at doing something” to honor the beloved judge further and “there won’t be a dry eye in the house” when that moment comes.
“It’ll be amazing. I mean, he was the best,” he added.
