BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke broke down in tears as he paid tribute to his late co-star Len Goodman on a special episode to mark the show’s 20th anniversary

Anton du Beke became emotional as he spoke about Len Goodman (Image: BBC)

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Anton Du Beke became visibly emotional during the 20th anniversary special of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday, 21 December as he paid tribute to the late Len Goodman. Anton, who is one of the four judges on the show, opened up about his relationship with the former head judge and professional ballroom dancer, who sadly died in 2023.

As Len was remembered during the special episode of Strictly, Anton struggled to hold back his tears and admitted that it found it difficult to talk about. “I find it hard… Look at me, I must be getting old,” he said, trying to keep his composure.

Len sadly passed away in 2023 at the age of 78 (Image: BBC)

“I find it hard to talk about Len without getting emotional because he was there at the beginning, and I loved him,” he added. “He was incredible. If I could be half a good judge as Len, I’ll have done all right.”

Meanwhile Craig Revel Horwood, who worked alongside Len on the judging panel for 12 years, also gushed over the Strictly legend. “He was fantastic. A very charitable, very loving, very generous human being,” he said. And Shirley Ballas, who took over from Len as head judge in 2017, echoed these sentiments, stating: “His are shoes that could never be filled. There’ll only ever be one Len Goodman,” reports Birmingham Live.

Claudia Winkleman, the host of Strictly, also had warm words for Len, saying: “Len was the most special. He was kind, he was twinkly, he was naughty, but more than anything he was so supportive to everybody”. Co-host Tess Daly nodded along. “Len was just exactly like you saw him the ballroom, on the judging panel, an absolute gentleman. Always had that mischievous glint in his eye,” she added.

Anton called Len an “incredible” person (Image: PA)

Former judge Bruno Tonioli also couldn’t resist paying homage. “Oh, my lovely Len. I mean, a very, very close friend. Len totally allowed me to be me. He supported me 100 percent,” he said, fondly remembering their time together.

Having joined Strictly Come Dancing back 2004, Len was one of the show’s original judges alongside Craig, Bruno and Arlene Phillips. The TV personality, who was known for his way of giving out scores of seven, appeared on the hit BBC show for 12 years before stepping down in 2016.

In 2023 Len sadly died at the age of 78 from bone cancer. His agent Jackie Gill said in a statement: “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.”