Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke was left emotional after he paid tribute to Len Goodman on stage. The star's voice cracked as he did a slow foxtrot in memory of his mentor.
Len, from East London, had bone cancer and died aged 78 on Saturday, April 22, surrounded by close family. He was the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2016 and, in an emotional tribute, Anton, 56, described Len as the "benchmark for all judges", adding that he loved him.
As reported by The Mirror, tributes poured in from fellow stars including Tess Daly, who described Len as a "genuine, warm and humble." On Monday, April 24, Anton revealed to viewers on his show, An Evening With Anton Du Beke, the advice Len gave him.
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Welling up on stage, Anton said: “I have been like this all day, a disaster. My old pal, Lord Len Goodman. We love you, Len.”
Talking at the Corn Exchange Theatre in King's Lynn, on tour, he continued: "I have always tried to take his advice, which is: 'Be yourself and say what you see'."
On his show, Anton also said Len was among his oldest pals, adding: “He is the benchmark for all the judges.”
Co-host Claudia Winkleman also described Len as “full of twinkle, warmth and wit” following the sad news. She added that he was "one of a kind."
She wrote: "I’m so sad about Len. He was one of a kind, a brilliant and kind man. Full of twinkle, warmth and wit. Sending all love to his family and friends. X."
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