Len Goodman dies: Strictly stars lead tributes after his death aged 78 ‘following a short illness’ 

Strictly Come Dancing stars have led the tributes to the show’s former judge Len Goodman following his death at the age of 78.

Len’s co-judge on the show Craig Revel-Horwood tweeted that he’d ‘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 Len.’

Len’s co-star on both Strictly and Dancing With The Stars Bruno Tonioli shared a photo of the pair hugging as he wrote that his heart was broken.

‘Hart broken my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom legend passed away I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together. they will never be anyone like you we will miss you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Bruno.’

The much-loved Strictly Come Dancing judge had been in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells in Kent following a short illness.

He passed away on Saturday night – just six months into his retirement. He would have been 79 tomorrow.

Friends: ‘Len Goody Goodman is what I always called him and “It’s a ten from Len & seveeeeern”will live with me forever. RIP Len,’ Craig tweeted 

‘My partner for 19 years’: Len’s co-star on both Strictly and Dancing With The Stars Bruno Tonioli shared a photo of the pair hugging as he wrote that his heart was broken

Colleague: A heartbroken Bruno wrote: ‘I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together’

Dan Walker, who competed on the BBC competition in 2021 praised Len as an ‘incredible man & an extraordinary talent.’

Dan shared a series of photos on Instagram, writing that he was ‘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. He cared about people and made everyone feel special. All my love to his family.’

Strictly professional dancer turned It Takes Two host Janette Manrara called Len ‘one of the nicest, funniest, and kindest people I ever had the absolute pleasure of working with and calling a friend.’

‘The world lost a little sparkle today. I will miss his cheeky jokes, his infectious smile, and his forever love and passion of dance. I hope you’re smiling and dancing still amongst the clouds. We will miss you.’

Janette’s husband and Strictly pro Aljaž Škorjanec shared a video of the two rehearsing together, writing: ‘We both loved our ballroom dancing more then most. One of the people I respected and feared most in the @bbcstrictly ballroom, but then we became such amazing friends, always laughing and cracking jokes.’

‘We only spoke a couple of weeks ago, and I wish we could’ve cracked one last joke together. And like your last message to me, Len, you were always my favourite too.’ 

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

Friend: Strictly pro Aljaž Škorjanec shared a video of the two rehearsing together, writing: ‘One of the people I respected and feared most in the @bbcstrictly ballroom’

Sad day: Strictly professional dancer turned It Takes Two host Janette Manrara called Len ‘one of the nicest, funniest, and kindest people I ever had the absolute pleasure of working with’

Legend: Dan Walker , who competed on the BBC competition in 2021 praised Len as an ‘incredible man & an extraordinary talent’ 

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

‘A beautiful man’: Susanna Reid, who starred on Strictly in 2013, tweeted: ‘Oh this is such an awful shock and so sad. Len was an absolute legend & the definition of a proper gent’

Friends: 2011 Strictly competitor Russell Grant tweeted: ‘The wonderful Len Goodman has left us. He was so kind and lovely to me when I was on Strictly’

‘More very sad news from the world of entertainment… RIP Len Goodman, 78 – welder, dancer, judge, and devoted cricket & West Ham fan,’ Piers wrote on Twitter.

‘Always had a laugh with Len, and swapped a few strong opinions. A quintessential Londoner and a top bloke.’

Susanna Reid, who starred on Strictly in 2013, tweeted: ‘Oh this is such an awful shock and so sad. Len was an absolute legend & the definition of a proper gent. He was a beautiful man with a huge sense of humour who had such a mischievous turn of phrase. I’ll never forget “all bounce, bum & bongos”. My love to his family.’ 

2011 Strictly competitor Russell Grant tweeted: ‘The wonderful Len Goodman has left us. He was so kind and lovely to me when I was on Strictly and we met on other programmes including his own filmed at BBC Glasgow.’ 

‘The word legend is overused but Len and his ‘SEVEN’ became a catchphrase across UK & USA. A true character.’

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General said in a statement: ‘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.’

Eamonn Holmes wrote alongside a photo of the two sharing a pint that ‘this sort of post is sadly becoming too regular. Len Goodman gone.’

‘What an impeccable man in the way he danced the way he was groomed. This is us in an Irish pub in Cushendall in The Glens of Antrim . We laughed all day . Total Gentleman.’

Close: Eamonn Holmes wrote alongside a photo of the two sharing a pint that ‘this sort of post is sadly becoming too regular. Len Goodman gone. What an impeccable man.’

Lorraine Kelly paid tribute  as the news of his death broke live on air on Monday.

The presenter, 63, paused her ITV daytime show to deliver the news – as she told how he was a ‘smashing fellow’.

Returning from a break during her programme, Lorraine paused her live show to pay tribute to Len.

A photo of the Strictly star was shown on screen as she said: ‘He was a smashing fellow, a really really good guy so that is very sad news this morning. So many people remember them from Strictly – of course they do!

‘All of out thoughts are with everybody who loves them including all of his friends and family who loved him.’

A spokeswoman for Len 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’.

The former head judge of Strictly Come Dancing from its launch in 2004 until 2016, Len was hugely popular with fans for his knowledge and wry humour. He was a professional dancer and teacher who became a national treasure after auditioning for Strictly aged 60 – when most people are looking to retire.

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.

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.

It is believed Len died in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells after a short illness.

After retiring 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.’

Short illness: A spokeswoman for Len told MailOnline: ‘I can confirm he died peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family’