Strictly Come Dancing fans will have extra cause to tune in to this Christmas’ special edition of the show as popular judge Len Goodman takes his final bow. Expect plenty of double-entendres plus the obligatory ‘ten from Len’ thrown in for good measure, as the Bromley-born professional ballroom dancer foxtrots off into the distance.
Not quite the end for Len
The 72-year-old national treasure has enthused about the dancing prowess of the amateur dancers vying for his plaudits for the last 12 years and 14 series. Besides an expected final appearance on the Yuletide TV offering, Goodman will also feature on next year’s live tour.
Oduba exemplifies Strictly
He was full of praise for the recent winner as TV presenter Ore Oduba scooped the top prize with a near-perfect set of dances in the grand-final. To Len it was what the show is really meant to showcase: to turn a complete novice into a twinkle-toed dancer and more than that, to find great enjoyment during the experience.
Revel-Horwood has his doubts
As for the end of Goodman on the BBC’s TV ratings winners, fellow judge Craig Revel-Horwood is not convinced that we will never see his erstwhile colleague beside him in the future. The man himself has already promised that he will be “keeping an eye on those judges.”
Revel-Horwood told the Mirror that he “won’t be able to stand seeing someone else in his seat,” hinting that it wouldn’t surprise him (if) “after next year, he wants to come back.”
Age is no barrier
Goodman has also ably demonstrated that age need be no barrier to becoming a top TV personality.
In much the same way as Mary Berry has provided a source of maturity and wisdom on The Great British Bake Off, Len has warmed the hearts of the viewing public in recent years. Other TV and radio offers have ensured that the septuagenarian is never far from our TV screens, including two series of the whimsical and nostalgic Holiday of My Lifetime show.
Double-entendres expected
Indeed, the dancing judge seems to have mimicked Mel and Sue’s linguistic antics on Bake Off, jovially commenting on Strictly’s Christmas special that Gethin Jones’ quick step had “got my baubles bouncing.” Backing up the double entendres, he later jokes about his trademark “pickled walnuts” in response to star athlete Denise Lewis’ American Smooth dance.
