Dad’s death made Len quit for some ‘me time’

financially – Strictly paid my mortgage.

“I had never done television before so I didn’t know if I would be any good at it.

“And because of Strictly, I have been able to do other little projects which I have enjoyed very much so it was a real gamechanger. It’s been wonderful.

“How lucky I was to be asked to be on the show and to stay on it for all these years.”

Len only has next week’s semifinal and the grand finale on December 17 to go after tonight’s results show. The Christmas special was filmed at the start of last week and it was an emotional affair as he took to the floor for a dance of his own.

He backed celebrities like this year’s most talked-about character, Ed Balls, saying: “It’s the ones that really struggle that capture our imagination. Some of them absolutely cannot dance, yet those are the ones who are really trying and working and I think people understand that.”

There has been much speculation about who will be his replacement next year.

Current pro dancer Anton Du Beke, 50, and former champ Karen Hardy, 46, who’s a regular on spin- off show It Takes Two, have been tipped as potentials.

As has Glaswegian Carolyn Smith, 56, who appears on the Australian version of the show.

Len says he’d hope it was someone from the Ballroom and Latin dance world to keep the balance of the judging panel.

But though he’ll keep on with the US version, Dancing With The Stars, he has no regrets over his decision to quit.

“It’s the right time and l’d much prefer to leave the show with people saying, ‘Oh what a shame Len’s going’ rather than ‘ Thank heaven he’s off.’ ”

Strictly Come Dancing: The Results BBC1 7.20pm.