This Morning’s Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield share shock over Len Goodman’s death

This Morning stars Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield paid tribute to Len Goodman as news of his death aged 78 broke just before the show went on air on Monday.

The show’s former head judge passed away from bone cancer aged 78 on Saturday his agent told The Standard.

Reflecting on the news, Schofield, 61, said: “We came on air to the saddest news. Len Goodman has died. That came as such a shock.

“He’s died at the aged of 78 in a hospice from a short battle with bone cancer… died peacefully surrounded by family including his wife Sue, and lots and lots of love to Sue.

The ITV show invited former Strictly pro Brendan Cole, who left the show in 2018 after 15 years, to remember the late star.

Speaking to the pair via videolink, the dancer said: “Shocking. Sad for the entire nation… As a personality he was massive, not only as a judge on Strictly but as a person, with a bite, which I loved.”

This Morning paid tribute to the late Strictly star (ITV)

Cole continued: “He was the ultimate judge. He knew what to say and when to say it.

“He knew when to be the bad cop and when to be the good cop. His smile and the energy that he brought to the set, Strictly has not been the same without him”.

Sharing her thoughts, Willoughby added: “He trademarked seven… Even when he went to America, whenever anyone got a seven, you couldn’t not think of him.”

Concluding their tribute, she said: “Our thoughts and love go to his wife Sue.”

Also on the ITV mid-morning show was Goodman’s long-time pal Gyles Brandreth, 75, who described the dancer as “funny” and “courteous” in a tweet after his appearance.

He penned: “Len Goodman – what a gentleman! On the beach at Broadstairs a few years ago he told me he’d prepared his greeting for St Peter when the day eventually came: ‘HEAVEN!’

“He was a lovely man – funny, courteous, ever professional, always kind. RIP Len. Always a 10 on my paddle.”

News of Goodman’s passing was confirmed on Monday.

His agent Jackie Gill told the Standard: “Len died on Saturday night in a hospice in Kent. He had bone cancer. He was surrounded by his family.

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“He always kept his sense of humour and great dignity.”

Ms Gill said Goodman was “a much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him”.

Goodman was head judge on Strictly from 2004 until 2016. He also appeared on the US version of the show, Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) from 2005 until 2022.

In November, Goodman announced he was stepping down from his role as head judge on Dancing With The Stars after more than 15 years with the US show.

The English professional dancer said he wanted to “spend more time with my grandchildren and family” back in the UK.

He announced the news during the semi-final episode of Dancing With The Stars: “Whilst we’re all getting excited and looking forward so much to the finale next week, it will also be with a touch of sadness, as this will be my last season judging on Dancing With The Stars.”

“I’ve been with the show since it started in 2005 and it has been a huge pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful show.

“But I have decided I’d like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain.”

He added: “I cannot thank you enough, the Dancing With The Stars family, it’s been such a wonderful experience for me and I’m looking forward so much to next week’s finale, I’m sure it’s going to be absolutely brilliant.”

Goodman stepped down as head judge from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.