Dancing with the stars is making sure the late referee Len Goodman is remembered forever on the show in a very special way by renaming the Mirrorball trophy.
“The Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy will now be raised Dancing with the stars like Vince Lombardi’s trophy being hoisted at the Super Bowl,” said executive producer Conrad Green USA Today on Wednesday.
The surprising story behind the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Mirrorball Trophy
Green continued, “We wanted to make Len a permanent part of this show, to always remind people of the importance he had Dancing with the stars and how much he meant to all of us.”
“Len loves this show and will always be there, looking down on us,” added the executive producer.
Goodman died of bone cancer while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kent, England, on April 22. He was 78 years old.
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Len Goodman. Getty Images
His manager Jackie Gill told BBC News that Goodman was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.
“It is with great sadness that I announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully at the age of 78,” Gill said in a statement. “A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.”
In addition to his beloved role on DWTSThe UK-born TV personality was also the head judge at the Strictly Come Dancing, the British version of the dance competition series. The series ran from 2004 to 2016, with Goodman appearing in all seasons.
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“Len Goodman was a wonderful, warm entertainer adored by millions,” BBC director-general Tim Davie wrote in a statement shared on X. “He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of Strictlysuccess. He will be greatly missed by the public and his many friends and family.”
Derek Hough, main part DWTSaddressed his mentor’s death during a May episode of The Whining downstairs with Jana Kramer podcast. The dancer-turned-judge (38) told how he lost someone he had known since he was 12 years old.
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Len Goodman and Derek Hough.
Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images
“We certainly didn’t know the scale [of his illness] – we had no idea to what extent – because this was a huge shock to all of us, he said after saying he knew Goodman had health problems.
Hough added that there were “countless tears and phone calls” with others who cared for Goodman after his death, but said “they were [lucky] spend as much time with him as we do.”
Goodman won his own Mirrorball trophy during the season 31 finale.
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LEN GOODMAN. Adam Taylor/ABC via Getty
“It’s fantastic,” he said after co-hosts Tyra Banks and Alfonso Ribeiro presented him with a special award.
Alfonso Ribeiro promises ‘DWTS’ season 32 will honor Len Goodman’s legacy: ‘There won’t be a dry eye’
“It was a great joy to be a part of it Dancing with the stars. I had such a wonderful time and this is absolutely the cherry on top,” Goodman added.
DWTS he also did a highlight reel to celebrate his 17 years as a judge on the hit series.
In his USA Today interview, executive producer Conrad Green hinted that the premiere of the 32nd season DWTSwhich airs Sept. 26 on ABC, will be dedicated to Goodman, who has been a judge on the show since its inception in 2005.
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