Anton Du Beke was reduced to tears as he paid tribute to his friend, the late Len Goodman. The BBC head judge passed away following a bone cancer diagnosis aged 78 on Saturday evening.
Len had been staying in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, when he died. His agent, Jackie Gill, confirmed the sad news on Monday (24 April), the Mirror reports.
She wrote: "It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78.
"A much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him."
Ballroom and latin dancer Anton, 56, choked up as he discussed his close friend and work colleague on the One Show: 'I have known him for 40 years as a man, as a boy. I remember him judging me as a young boy.
"I would value his comments above everyone else because he knew exactly what I wanted to do. I was lucky to have known him for 40 years. He was a great friend."
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Anton added: ''We would spend hours chatting and laughing he was a joy to be with. That was the thing about Len, he was a joy to be with and he gave off so much joy.
''I was lucky enough to know him and I miss him.''
Viewers were also left in tears by the dancer's comments, with one saying: ''Anton De Beke crying on The One Show has really got to me.''
Another added: ''Well after that emotional tribute by Anton Du Beke on the One Show I think I may have something in my eye''
A third wrote: ''Flip sake, I’m in bits watching Anton du Beck on the One Show''
''Oh heck, Anton on The One Show talking about Len Goodman has just set me off - never mind the personalities involved, that was just a lovely tribute from one person to another," commented a fourth.
Len joined Strictly in 2004 and his final appearance was on the 2016 Christmas Day special. Goodman began dancing at 19, winning various competitions including the British Championships in Blackpool in his late 20s, after which he retired.
He was replaced as head judge on the BBC show by Shirley Ballas. Strictly judge Anton, who was a pro on the show since it began in 2004 and became a permanent panellist in 2021, also paid a touching tribute to Len on social media.
He wrote: "Forgive my stream of consciousness but I’ve just heard the devastating news that my dear friend of nearly 45 years, Len Goodman, has sadly passed away.
"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 a 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."
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."
