Susanna Reid fought back tears as she remembered Len Goodman on what would have been his 79th birthday on Tuesday.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain alongside Ed Balls, Susanna said she was ‘devastated’ after hearing the Strictly head judge had passed away.
Len died at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells following a short battle with bone cancer on Saturday night, days ahead of his 79th birthday.
Presenter Susanna, 52, paid a sweet tribute to Len as she reminisced with Ed, 56, about their own personal experiences with the head judge during their time on Strictly Come Dancing.
Opening the show, she said: ‘Just devastating news about Len Goodman. I hadn’t even realised he was that poorly and then all of a sudden he was gone.
Emotional: Susanna Reid fought back tears as she remembered Len Goodman on what would have been his 79th birthday on Tuesday
Well loved: Len died at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells following a short battle with bone cancer on Saturday night, days ahead of his 79th birthday
‘What a remarkable man. He started out at the age of 11 on his grandfather’s salad stall. H trained as a welder, he loved football.
‘It was an injury to his foot when he was playing football that meant that he ended up going to a dance studio with a mate, just for rehab but he always admitted to me it was for girls too.’
Susanna continued: ‘He was very old school but we loved him for it. He was a phenomenal head judge, wasn’t he? He was so reassuring and was so focused on the technical detail.
‘Len was the judge you really wanted to impress and he had this mischievous turn of phrase.’
Susanna took part on Strictly back in 2013 and was partnered with Kevin Clifton, while Ed joined the show in 2016 and became known for his iconic dances with Katya Jones.
Remembering Len, the former politician said: ‘He always was positive first before he hit you with his critique. He always gave me better marks than anyone else
‘The greatest line for me he said was: “Ed you’re not the greatest dancer. but you’re the people’s champion”.’
Memories: Presenter Susanna, 52, paid a sweet tribute to Len as she reminisced with Ed, 56, about their own personal experiences with the head judge during their time on Strictly
Keep dancing: Susanna took part on Strictly back in 2013 and was partnered with Kevin Clifton
Iconic: Ed joined the show in 2016 and became known for his iconic dances with Katya Jones
Len died peacefully just days before his 79th birthday, surrounded by friends and family.
A spokesman for Len told MailOnline: ‘I can confirm he died peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family’.
They added that the former ballroom dancer was ‘a much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him’.
Anton Du Beke was overcome with emotion during Monday’s The One Show as he paid tribute to Len.
Anton appeared on the BBC programme via video link where he revealed the advice Len gave him ahead of becoming a Strictly judge in 2021.
Head judge: Len was a much-loved judge on Strictly after joining the show when it launched in 2004 and staying on the panel until 2016′ (Len pictured in 2010)
Illness: Len Goodman was just months into his retirement when he died (L-R: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli pictured in 2012)
The ballroom expert told viewers: ‘He said to me when I got the job…’ before choking up.
He continued, ‘Ridiculous, isn’t it? When I got the job, he said, “Say what you see, and be yourself.” And that was exactly as Len was. He was himself. I was lucky enough to know him for a long time.’
When Anton said he had been ‘lucky to call Len a friend’, an emotional Alex replied, ‘Oh, what a lovely tribute.’
Len was a much-loved judge on Strictly after joining the show when it launched in 2004 and staying on the panel until 2016.
As well as winning a legion of fans in the UK, he also became a big name in the US after joining the American version of the show Dancing With The Stars. He remained with the series from 2005 until 2022.
The TV star started his career as a welder and only became interested in dancing when his doctor told him to take it up to help him recover from a foot injury.
Len went on to become a successful professional dancer winning titles including The British Exhibition Championships and the World Exhibition Championships and later continued his love of dance after retiring by forming the Goodman Dance Academy in Kent to help others achieve their dreams.
After finding fame on television, he chronicled his rise to fame in his 2009 memoir Better Late Than Never: From Barrow Boy to Ballroom and went on to publish two more tomes – Len’s Lost London and Dancing Around Britain.
He announced his retirement from Dancing With The Stars last year and on his final episode, he was presented with his own Mirrorball trophy.
Len said of the honour: ‘That is fantastic. ‘It has been such a joy for me to have been part of Dancing with the Stars. It really has.
‘I’ve had such a wonderful time and this is absolutely the cherry on the cake.’
Susanna Reid is ‘devastated’ by Len Goodman’s sudden death
Source: Viral Buzz Philippines
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