Late Len Goodman is seen beaming while hugging fellow Strictly star Bruno Tonioli

Len Goodman was seen beaming and hugging his Strictly and Dancing With The Stars co-judge Bruno Tonioli months before his death from bone cancer aged 78. 

The dancer posed alongside Bruno in the snap, which Bruno, 67, shared in November, shortly after Len had confirmed his retirement while filming Dancing With The Stars – revealing his plans to spend more time with his grandchildren. 

In a nod to Len’s news of his career conclusion, Bruno penned: ‘Celebrating the one and only ballroom legend Len Goodman you are the best my friend best partner I could have wished for @dancingwiththestars…

‘What an incredible adventure we sheared happy retirement. Love always Bruno.’

Len had been in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells in Kent following a short illness and he passed away on Saturday night – just six months into his retirement. He would have been 79 on Tuesday.

Way back when: Bruno (left) and Len (second right) are pictured together on the Strictly judging panel alongside Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood 

Sweet: Bruno shared a heartwarming message for his pal and colleague in November

Len’s spokeswoman told MailOnline: ‘I can confirm he died peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family’, adding that he was ‘a much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him’. 

Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood described Len as a ‘gorgeous colleague and dear friend’ in response to the former Strictly judge’s death.

He tweeted: ‘I’ve just woken up to the sad news that my gorgeous colleague and dear friend Len Goodman has passed away…

‘My heart and love go out to his lovely Sue and family. Len Goody Goodman is what I always called him and ‘It’s a ten from Len & seveeeeern’ will live with me forever. RIP’.

Bethnal Green-born Len Goodman, who grew up in Blackfen, Bexley, was a professional dancer and teacher who became a national treasure after auditioning for Strictly Come Dancing aged 60 – when most people are looking to retire. 

Len was head judge of Strictly from its 2004 launch where he was hugely popular with fans for his knowledge, humour and marking, especially his catchphrase ‘seven’. He was replaced as head judge on the show by Shirley Ballas in 2016.

As well as Strictly, he also appeared on the US version of the show, Dancing With the Stars from 2005 until November 2022, where he was last seen on TV, declaring he was retiring to spend more time with his wife Sue, and his grandchildren.

Way back when: Len, aged 25, dancing with Cherry Kingston in 1970

In December Len revealed how he spends his Saturday nights since retiring – shouting at the TV while watching Strictly and especially Craig Revel Horwood — or ‘bl**dy Craig’ as Len called him

He told the Mail: ‘My dad had the right idea, too. He loved gardening and he had a stroke while he was out in the garden. He was 79 so if I go the way of my dad, that’ll be next year.’

He seems astonishingly chipper about this. He says maybe I could write his obituary. Blimey, Len, not yet. What would I write anyway?

‘Just write: ‘He was a dance teacher from Dartford who got lucky’,’ he says. ‘Because that’s just about the truth of it’.’

Tribute: Len Goodman’s Strictly Come Dancing co-star Craig Revel Horwood has led the tributes to the show’s former judge Len Goodman following his death at the age of 78

Loss: Piers Morgan shared a photo of Len showing him some dance moves as he paid tribute to the ‘quintessential Londoner and top bloke’

His death is being mourned by leading figures in showbiz, after a stellar career spanning six decades.

BBC director-general Tim Davie paid tribute to Len Goodman following his death aged 78. He said: ‘Len Goodman was a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions. He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family.’

Former BBC presenter Dan Walker, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 and was friends with Len Goodman, also paid tribute. He tweeted: ‘So sad to hear about the death of Len Goodman…

‘He was an incredible man & an extraordinary talent. Loved making telly with him, being daft with him, playing golf with him & will never forget the little tips he would send every week on Strictly. All my love to his family.’

The King with Charles Dance and Len Goodman (right) in 2018

Len became a household name to a generation of fans after joining Strictly – but was also a celebrated dancer as a younger man