Anton Du Beke has paid a touching tribute to former Strictly Come Dancing head judge Len Goodman, who has died aged 78.
A statement from Len's agent, Jackie Gill, confirmed the champion dancer died peacefully on Saturday night, describing him as a "much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him."
Strictly judge Anton, who was a pro on the show since it began in 2004 and became a permanent panellist in 2021, has now shared a tribute following Len's death.
On social media, Anton said it was "difficult to find the words to encapsulate" his friend.
Anton and Len in 2013 (FilmMagic)He wrote: "Forgive my stream of consciousness but I’ve just heard the devasting news that my dear friend of nearly 45 years, Len Goodman, has sadly passed away.
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"It’s incredibly difficult to find the words to encapsulate Len, because he was everything but he was also simply, Len. I first knew him when I was a young lad and was dancing, he was my dance judge.
"Len was different to anyone else in the dancing business – he was a wonderful character, he had a roguishness about him - he had twinkle.
"He had a way about him that you really wanted him to like you. If Len liked you, it was more important than anyone else liking you."
Len was the original Strictly Come Dancing head coach (BBC)Anton went on: "He was one of the very few people that wherever he went, he was just being Len and everyone knows exactly what that means. He had a bit of a magic and that's what always made him so popular."
Anton described how the pair played golf together, going on: "He was funny and entertaining but he was also considered and thoughtful and wonderfully interesting. He led a fascinating life. He was clever, articulate, wonderfully well-read and a great lover of poetry."
Anton said Len had universal appeal (Disney)Turning to Len's success in Dancing with the Stars in America, Anton said: "And of course he had incredible appeal – as his massive success in America goes to show. They begged him to carry on and that kind of appeal is so rare. A national treasure certainly, but more importantly to me he was my friend. I was very lucky to know him. I’m going to miss you, Len."
In 2021, Len gave his seal of approval when Anton was promoted to judge, replacing Bruno Tonioli.
Speaking on This Morning, Len, who was on the show from 2004 to 2016, said: “I think it's wonderful. I think it's an inspired choice. He did a couple of weeks, didn't he, last year. I thought he did an excellent job.
“And, you know, he's the only one who's gone through the process of teaching people to dance, so he knows what he's up to.”
Len began dancing at 19, winning various competitions including the British Championships in Blackpool in his late 20s, after which he retired.
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He was replaced as head judge on the BBC show by Shirley Ballas, when he left in 2016.
Anton has described Len as a national treasure and friend (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Len served as head judge on Dancing With The Stars for more than 15 years until announcing his retirement in November last year.
He said at the time that he wanted to “spend more time with my grandchildren and family” back in the UK.
Len was also a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to dance.
As well as his successful dancing and television career, he was also the owner of the Goodman Academy, a dance school in Dartford, Kent.
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