‘Dancing with the Stars’ Honors Late Judge Len Goodman During Season 32 Premiere

Dancing with the stars pays tribute to his beloved late Chief Justice, Len Goodman.

On Tuesday’s season 32 premiere of the reality dance competition, the ballroom dance legend — who died at age 78 in April 2022, four months after announcing his retirement from DWTS — he was honored.

The heartfelt moment at the beginning of the episode was hosted by co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough. Ribeiro, 52, began by noting Goodman’s absence, before Hough, 35, chimed in and said: “Len has been on this committee for almost all of our 31 seasons and while he’s certainly irreplaceable, we wanted to keep his spirit alive.”

A photo of Goodman appeared on the screen behind the ballroom as the cameras panned to the new Mirrorball Trophy — now named the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in his honor.

“Len will always go forward with us,” Hough said, and Ribeiro added, “As a tribute to him, we’ve redesigned and renamed our ultimate award.”

The co-hosts also confirmed that the show will have a “spectacular tribute to Leno from our dancers that you won’t want to miss” coming in a few weeks.

‘Dancing with the Stars’ head judge Len Goodman announces his retirement: ‘Hasta La Vista Baby!’

Goodman died on April 22 surrounded by his family at a hospice in Kent, England. According to BBC newsthe ballroom legend had bone cancer.

“It is with great sadness that I announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78,” his manager Jackie Gill said in a statement released at the time. “A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.”

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 Dancingfrom its launch in 2004 to 2016.

Len Goodman and Lisa Vanderpump on ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Len Goodman’s Most Memorable Moments on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

executive producer Conrad Green said last week USA Today that the series decided to rename the iconic Mirrorball Trophy in his honor.

“The Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy will now be raised Dancing with the stars like hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy at the Super Bowl,” Green explained. “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.

Len Goodman on ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Adam Taylor/ABC via Getty Former ‘Dancing With the Stars’ co-stars of Len Goodman react to his death: ‘We will miss you’

While speaking with PEOPLE following the season 32 cast announcement earlier this month, Ribeiro revealed how the show planned to honor the dance judge’s legacy in season one following his death.

“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.

Len Goodman. HGL/GC Images Len Goodman Reflects On His Most Memorable ‘DWTS’ Moments In Final Interview With PEOPLE Before His Death

Good morning America unveiled the new lineup for season 32 on September 13. Competing stars include Matt Walsh, Mauricio Umansky, Jason Mraz, Alyson Hannigan, Mira Sorvino, Adrian Peterson, Barry Williams, Tyson Beckford, Xochitl Gomez, Harry Jowsey, Lele Pons, Ariana Madix, Jamie Lynn Spears and Charity Lawson.

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Dancing with the stars airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET on ABC and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

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