…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Shirley Ballas, the head judge of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, appeared on Loose Women to pay tribute to Len Goodman, the former head judge of the show who passed away on Saturday at the age of 78 after battling bone cancer.
Ballas, who first met Goodman when she was nine years old, said that the last time she saw him, she knew he was secretly battling the disease.
During her appearance, Ballas recalled how when she visited her son Mark Ballas, a pro-dancer on US Dancing With The Stars, on which Goodman was the head judge, last year, she noticed that he was “quite frail”.
She mentioned that it is challenging for everyone in her industry to come to terms with Goodman’s passing.
Ballas added that Goodman was a big part of their lives, an icon, and was well-loved.
She credited him with teaching her more about the human spirit than technique.
She said that Goodman was responsible for telling her to take her work seriously but not to take herself too seriously.
Ballas also mentioned that she will miss him forever.
Ballas shared that she last saw Goodman at the launch of Dancing with the Stars, where she got her final cuddle with him, even though he was quite frail.
She revealed that he looked quite unwell, but he was still full of humour.
Ballas mentioned that they kept close quarters in the dancing industry, and they didn’t put it all out there.
Ballas, who will star in the next series of Strictly Come Dancing, said that she is excited but knows that she could never fill Goodman’s shoes.
The former head judge served on the show from 2004 to 2016.
Commentary:
Shirley Ballas paid a heartwarming tribute to Len Goodman, who was an iconic figure in the dancing industry.
She mentioned that he was a big part of her life and had a considerable influence on her career.
Her recollection of the last time she saw him and how he still managed to maintain his humour despite his illness is touching.
It is evident that Goodman was a beloved figure in the dancing industry, and he will be missed.
Ballas’ appearance on the Loose Women show allowed her to remember her good friend and colleague and to share her fond memories of him.
It’s also worth noting that Ballas clarified on Good Morning Britain that she wasn’t leaving Strictly, despite rumours of a pay dispute.