UPDATE: A number of potential replacements have been announced. Scroll down to see.
Strictly's veteran head judge, Len Goodman, has revealed that he has quit the BBC1 show after 12 YEARS.
We're devastated.
:(
Len, who has kept us entertained since 2004, confirmed his shock departure this morning (13 July).
He said in a statement: “In 2004, I was asked to take part in a brand new BBC Saturday night show and who would have thought me, old Len Goodman, would still be part of this amazing series more than 10 years on.
“This adventure began when I was 60 and now that I’ve reached my 70s, I’ve decided after this year it’s time to hand the role of Head Judge to someone else.
“It is an honour being part of the wonderful Strictly Come Dancing family and I’m looking forward to my last series very much and to whatever comes next.”
Louise Rainbow, Executive Producer of Strictly Come Dancing, also expressed her sadness about Len’s decision to quit, saying:
“We are absolutely delighted that [hosts] Tess, Claudia and our judges are all returning for another year. Whilst we will be sad to say goodbye to Len, as our way of saying thank you, we are all determined to make this series the most spectacular, most glittery and entertaining yet.”
The brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing, due to air this Autumn, will be Len's last.
Who's tipped to replace Len?
Someone has got some pretty big boots to fill - but who could it be? William Hill are already betting on who will take a seat on the judging panel in 2017, with former professional dancer Anton du Beke, Gleb Sabchenko and Ian Waite all in the running.
William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said:
“Len will be a tough act to follow and this is a decision that the people in charge at Strictly will no doubt agonise over for a while although the odds suggest that there are quite a few names that they could consider."
There are all the current contenders (subject to change, of course):
Mandy Moore
Karen Hardy
Arlene Phillips
**Ian Waite **
Gleb Savchenko
Anton Du Beke
Robin Windsor
Jason Gilkison
**John Meehan **
Brendan Cole
Jay McGuiness
Donny Osmond
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Michael Flatley
Lisa Riley
Ashley Banjo
Caroline Flack
Nigel Lythgoe
**We'll bring you more on this as it comes. **
**How do you feel? Let us know all your thoughts over on Facebook and Twitter. **