BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas says 'would have loved it' in tribute to 'friend and teacher'

Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas has paid tribute to former head Strictly judge Len Goodman as she said he would have loved the new 'icons' week. The former dancer and Dancing With The Stars judge passed away from bone cancer in April 2023 at the age of 78.

He died at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, surrounded by his family. Shirley, paid tribute to Len, who served as a judge on the programme for 12 years.

She shared a photo of the two of them together, writing: "Coming across photos of my dear friend and teacher Len Goodman so thought it would be nice to see his cheeky smile ahead of @bbcstrictly icons week. He would have loved it."

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The larger-than-life personality had a long history in the ballroom, starting his dance career at age 19. He won the British Championships in Blackpool.

Len first joined the Strictly judging panel from its first season in 2004 up until 2016, when he chose to step down. He also offered his guidance to contestants on the US version – titled Dancing with the Stars – until 2022.

Tributes poured in after his death from the likes of Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman, who called Goodman "a class act". She said: "There was nobody like him because he was so humble.

"He was adorable - on camera, off camera, and to everybody who took part." Her co-host Tess Daly agreed that Goodman was "a beautiful man, genuine, warm and humble, who left an impression on everyone he met".