‘It was the suddenness of it’: Strictly’s Anton Du Beke reveals he didn’t know his ‘good friend’ Len Goodman was ill before his death
Anton Du Beke has revealed he was unaware his Strictly Come Dancing co-star Len Goodman was ill prior to his death at age 78.
The TV judge, 56, opened up about his friendship with the late star and his shock at his sudden passing.
Len died in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells last month after a brief battle with bone cancer, days before his 79th birthday.
Speak against The mirror, Anton said: ‘I actually knew Len as a man and boy, we became very good friends. But I didn’t know he was sick, it was the suddenness of it. And I found out in a not exactly pretty way – I got a call from a TV station that wanted me to go ahead and talk about it. That was not ideal.
“I only remember writing a stream of awareness on Instagram. I didn’t want to post a two-line Twitter message – it just didn’t seem enough. He was a great storyteller. I will always remember a wonderful story he told about competitive sailing as if you were on a boat. At the time it was the most brilliant thing I had ever heard. That was Lee.
Shocked: Anton Du Beke has revealed he was unaware his Strictly Come Dancing co-star Len Goodman was ill prior to his death at age 78
Tragic: Len died at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells last month after a brief battle with bone cancer, days before his 79th birthday
“We were really lucky to have him. If they had chosen someone else in that role, it wouldn’t have worked so well. But he was the perfect man.’
It comes after Anton reportedly burst into tears on stage as he performed a slow foxtrot in honor of his late co-star.
During An Evening With Anton Du Beke at the Corn Exchange Theater in King’s Lynn, he is said to have told fans: ‘I’ve been like this all day, a disaster.
‘My old friend, Lord Len Goodman. We love you, Len.
“He is the benchmark for all judges. I’ve always tried to follow his advice, which is: “Be yourself and say what you see.”‘
Len died Saturday in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, surrounded by his own family after a battle with bone cancer.
Candid: The TV judge, 56, opened up about his friendship with the late star and his shock at his sudden death
A spokesperson for the star told MailOnline: “I can confirm he passed away peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family.”
Len was a much loved judge on Strict after joining the show when it launched in 2004 and remaining on the panel until 2016.
In addition to gaining a legion of fans in the UK, he also became a big name in the US after taking part in the US version of the show Dancing With The Stars. He stayed with the series from 2005 to 2022.
HE began his career as a welder and only became interested in dancing when his doctor told him to take it upon himself to help him recover from a foot injury.
Len became a successful professional dancer, winning titles including the British Exhibition Championships and the World Exhibition Championships, and later continued his love of dance after his retirement by founding the Goodman Dance Academy in Kent to help others achieve their dreams. to make.
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 volumes – Len’s Lost London and Dancing Around Britain.
He announced his retirement from Dancing With The Stars last year and received his very own Mirrorball trophy in his final episode.
Len said of the honor, “That’s fantastic. “It was so much fun for me to be a part of Dancing with the Stars. It really has.
“I had such a great time and this is definitely the icing on the cake.”