Alfonso Ribeiro Promises ‘DWTS’ Season 32 Will Honor Len Goodman’s Legacy: ‘There Won’t Be a Dry Eye’

assures Alfonso Ribeiro Dancing with the stars fans that the upcoming season will honor the late head judge Len Goodman five months after his death.

While speaking with PEOPLE following the Season 32 cast announcement last week, the 51-year-old host revealed how he, new co-host Julianne Hough and professional dancers plan to honor the dance judge’s legacy in the first season since Goodman died of bone cancer at age 78. year.

Len Goodman, former ‘Dancing with the Stars’ head judge, dies at 78

“I can guarantee you that each of those professionals will make sure that the routines are still designed for Len,” Riberio explained. “I know I’ve talked to a few of them and they’re going to put in certain steps that Len liked, just to make sure the content is still there for Len.”

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air The alum also assured fans that the show is “looking to do something” to further honor Goodman and “there won’t be a dry eye in the house” when that moment comes.

“It will be amazing. I mean, he was the best,” he added.

Alfonso Ribeiro and Tyra Banks host ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Andrew Eccles/abc ‘DWTS’ judge Derek Hough reflects on ‘Pure Joy’ Len Goodman and his desire to ‘honor’ him in the ballroom

Goodman’s manager, Jackie Gills, confirmed the death of the professional dancer and judge on April 22.

“It is with great sadness that I announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully at the age of 78,” Gills said in a statement shared with BBC News. “A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.”

Goodman died in a hospice in Kent, England, surrounded by his family. The former professional dancer appeared on DWTS from 2005 to 2022. He was also the main judge in the British version of the show Strictly Come Dancing from launch in 2004 to 2016.

Len Goodman on ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Eric McCandless via Getty Images Len Goodman’s Most Memorable Moments on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Shortly after news of Goodman’s death, DWTS pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy and his brother Val recalled their strong bond with the head judge.

“Len Goodman had such authority in the dance world and he deserved that authority,” Val said Party tonight. “Not just in front of the camera, but behind the scenes for 50 years of competitive dancing, so we know Len from those days.”

“And then when they introduced him to Leno on camera in front of millions of people, he felt like family,” he continued. “He felt like a grandfather to us, our dance grandfather and yes, we will miss him. I think the show will be very different without him.”

Len Goodman on ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Derek Hough calls Len Goodman’s bone cancer news ‘shocking’ and reveals ‘DWTS’ parting gift for him

Mak also reflected on how Goodman has influenced the competitive dance show.

“Just looking back whatever I look at, it was meaningful to me, he was there in some way or form. I felt close to me as a person, but I felt close to the idea of ​​Len Goodman… I think Len he was the anchor that held all three of them down for periods of time,” he said of Goodman and fellow judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Toniola.

He continued: “But the character of Len Goodman is what made the show a big part of what made the show stick, and he developed that character for other countries. Everyone’s trying to find Len Goodman and it’s hard because they can’t, really.”

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Season 32 of Dancing with the stars premieres September 26 on ABC and will air on Disney+ and Hulu.

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