04 June 2023 , 17:12
1157
0
Strictly Come Dancing should feature a tribute to legendary head judge Len Goodman, a former pro dancer has urged.
Brendan Cole says he would love to come back for a group dance featuring past and present professionals in honour of the former judge who died this year.
But the 47-year-old, who left under a cloud, joked: “I’m not sure I’d be allowed back in the building.”
Len was head judge on the show from its launch in 2004 until 2016.
He was remembered as a “kind and brilliant” man who “lit up the screen”, following his death at the age of 78 due to bone cancer, in April.
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
Len Goodman died in April this year (S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Brendan said: “The nicest thing Strictly could do would be to do a really big group number maybe even with the ex pros to come back. I’m not suggesting for myself, I’m not sure I’d be allowed in the building but to do some form of tribute.
“Because he made the show. So something like that with (wife) Sue there in the audience. I don’t know….something nice. If I was the exec producer that’s what I’d be doing. That’s why I’m not the exec producer!”
Cole appeared in the first 15 series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, until announcing in January 2018 that his contract had not been renewed. It came after several bust-ups with the judges including Shirley Ballas.
In the 2004 debut series of Strictly Come Dancing, Cole won the show with BBC newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky.
Brendan said he would be open to a return to Strictly for a tribute (mirror.co.uk)After Len’s death, friends and co-stars all paid tribute to the former dancer, who also took part in US counterpart Dancing With The Stars.
Strictly host Claudia Winkleman said he was full of “twinkle, warmth and wit”.
Respects were also paid by the British Royal family and the UK government.