EXCLUSIVE:
I’ve always felt more lucky than privileged. I’m so fortunate
STRICTLY bosses have to make plenty of tough decisions but few will be harder than finding a new head judge.
Smiling, modest Len Goodman waltzes away from the Saturday night hit show when this series ends at Christmas.
But even he has no idea who will take his judge’s seat, next to Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell.
The beloved 72-year-old is looking forward to putting up his feet on Saturday nights at home and watching the contestants on TV.
The self-styled grump says he is exhausted after 12 years on Strictly. Speaking exclusively to the Sunday People he said: “I can tell you no one knows who will replace me yet.
“The producers told me they have enough on their plates and will not decide until the new year after the series is over.”
There has been much speculation about Len’s successor with show pro dancer Anton Du Beke, 50, and former judge Arlene Phillips, 73, names in the frame.
Len said: “Personally I hope it’s someone from the world of ballroom and latin rather than someone from stage dancing.
“But whoever they pick I’m sure it’ll be the right decision.”
Despite being a shining star of Saturday TV and widely loved by the public, self-effacing Len does not see himself that way.
Len believes he his a lucky bloke who was saved from a life of gruelling manual labour by dance, a down-to-earth man doing the best he can.
Naughty
He has been flattered at the public’s reaction to his decision to leave but insisted: “I’m only a cog in the Strictly wheel.
“It’s really nice people say we’re going to miss you and I’d rather they say that than, ‘Thank God you’re going’.
“But I’ve done it for 12 years. I want to spend a bit more time with my family. I just think it’s time to move on.”
Len has been married nearly three years to long-term companion and dance teacher Sue Barrett, 50. He also has son James, 35, from a previous relationship, and 18-monthold granddaughter Alice.
He said: “I’ve got lots of interesting things to come, I’m sure people will ask me to do other little jobs, and I’ve got my granddaughter to play with. I’m going to have a lovely time.”
Former dance teacher Len did not become a household name until he was 60 and started on Strictly. But he said his love of ballroom saved him.
He said: “I have always felt that I was more lucky than privileged.
“Things can turn on sixpence. I was so lucky finding dancing at 21.
“If I hadn’t I’d have still been in North Woolwich working on the docks.”
His star potential certainly was not spotted at school. Len said: “When I left school, I was told, ‘ Goodman you’ll always be a failure’. I wasn’t naughty at school, not like kids nowadays, but I was always a cheeky chappy, an imp.” He opened a dance studio and then became a judge on one of the BBC’s longest running shows, Come Dancing, which was aired, on and off, from 1949 to 1998.
Len said: “Then when I was 60, along came Strictly – I’m a lucky, lucky lad.
“I’m so fortunate because of Strictly. I’m not wealthy but I’ve a few bob, enough to pay for lunch for the family.”
Yet, amazingly, Len does not think of himself as a celebrity.