Len Goodman admits he misses Strictly Come Dancing

Len Goodman

by Emma Dodds |
Updated on

Former head judge on Strictly Come Dancing Len Goodman has admitted that he misses being on the show after quitting last year.

The 73-year-old opened up about his first year away from the show after judging on it for 12 years from the very beginning.

Len, who has been watching the show from the comfort of his sofa, admitted to Lorraine Kelly that he was missing the Saturday night shindigs.

GALLERY: All the celebrity contestants signed up for Dancing On Ice next year

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All the celebrities signed up for Dancing On Ice next year (slider)

Monty Panesar1 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Monty Panesar

Former England international cricketer Monty Panesar is the second sports star to sign up for the show. He said: "This is a great opportunity to keep myself fit and motivated and try a different sport. I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be very exciting."

Kem Cetinay2 of 12
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Kem Cetinay

Love Island 2017 winner Kem Cetinay was the third celebrity to be announced for the show. He's probably hoping he has the same success as he did on** **Love Island!

Jake Quickenden3 of 12
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Jake Quickenden

Jake Quickenden found fame when he was a contestant on The X Factor in both 2012 and 2014, and will surely be a hit with viewers of the show. He said: "I'm terrified. I had my first training session yesterday - I was freezing! Ice is cold! But it was amazing, the coaches are unbelievable. I just feel so lucky that I've been asked to do it."

Candice Brown4 of 12
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Candice Brown

Candice Brown won The Great British Bake Off in 2016, has been confirmed for the show - will she win yet again? She said: "It's nerve-wracking. I start my training today. I take my first steps on the ice later on. My friends call me Bambi on Ice and that's just normal day to day!"

Max Evans5 of 12
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Max Evans

Scottish rugby union ace Max Evan has also been confirmed to appear on the show. He could be taking dancing tips from his brother Thom who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2014.

Brooke Vincent6 of 12
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Brooke Vincent

Coronation Street** **actress Brooke Vincent was the first celebrity to be confirmed for this year's show. The actress said she's doing the show to 'challenge' herself.

Cheryl Baker7 of 12
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Cheryl Baker

Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker has joined the show, but after the first training session, she's told her fans not to bet on her! She said: "I started training yesterday. It was such huge fun. I've never skated apart from when I was about 12. I am feeling nervous."

Alex Beresford8 of 12
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Alex Beresford

Good Morning Britain presenter Alex Beresford confirmed he is appearing on this year's series. The 37-year-old said: "I've wanted to do this show for ages. It's been the biggest secret I've ever kept."

Donna Air9 of 12
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Donna Air

Donna Air confirmed she would be taking part in the show on Loose Women. Donna said she was nervous about taking part, but she was also excited. "It is absolutely terrifying. It's exciting though, it's looking like it's going to be a great series. It's really difficult."

Perri Shakes-Drayton10 of 12
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Perri Shakes-Drayton

British track and field athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton is swapping the track for the ice rink as she takes part in the new series. Perri confirmed her appearance in an interview on BBC Radio 1Xtra, saying: "It is an opportunity and I was told in the past I'd never be able to run again and that was not nice to be told."

Antony Cotton11 of 12
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Antony Cotton

Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton is the 11th celebrity to be announced for the new series. Antony, who plays Sean Tully in the soap, said: "I better get my skates on - I've got practicing to do!"

Stephanie Waring12 of 12
CREDIT: ITV Pictures

Stephanie Waring

Stephanie is the third soap star to sign up to the series after Corrie actors Brooke Vincent and Antony Cotton.

Lorraine asked Len whether he missed the show, and he replied: "Yes course I am. There’s always a twang."

Could this mean a return to Strictly for Len?!

Don't get your hopes up too high - it doesn't seem likely.

WATCH: Len Goodman opens up about missing Strictly Come Dancing on Lorraine

He continued: "I done it for 12 years - I wasn’t getting too dithery, I wasn’t dribbling, there comes a time when you think I did it for 12 years."

Len added that the stressful schedule of Strictly had become too much for him, saying: "And I couldn’t do the flying backwards and forwards."

Fair enough, Len.

But some fans were left disheartened when Len continued judging on the American version of Strictly - Dancing With The Stars - but he stepped up and addressed that too.

He said: "On Strictly your contract is annual, in America it’s different – I signed up for four. I’ve got one more for show."

Len then emotionally added: "I loved Strictly, it gave me everything."

Aww Len, our hearts!

Strictly Come Dancing
©BBC One

But that wasn't all Len had to reveal - he also confessed the star he's hoping to win the show outright.

Any guesses?

"I have no favourites, only because I have always wanted someone slightly older to do well and win it," he said.

"For that reason I’d like Debbie McGee to win it," before cheekily adding: "I admire a 60-year-old who can cock her leg up like that."

HA. Well... It's as good a reason as any!

Debbie McGee
©BBC Pictures

The ballroom boss also backed his successor on the show, saying that he thought Shirley Ballas was doing a stand-up job,

He said: "I think the standard was great, I think Shirley is doing a wonderful job.

"I've known her for all her dancing life. I’ve judged her hundreds of times. She knows her onions. I think she’s doing lovely jubbly."

Doesn't he have such a way with words?

**Were you sad to see Len leave Strictly last year? Do you think Shirley is doing a good job? Let us know over on **Facebook and Twitter.

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