it was my great pleasure to have been Head of Entertainment at the BBC all those years ago when we launched Strictly and this strange man from a Kent dancing school wandered into all our lives and lit it up. 
A year later and we were in Los Angeles and somehow making an American version and within months that strange man had become a star on American television.

I’m not sure any of us had a clue what we were doing - certainly none of us thought we’d be starting sonething that would be loved by so many and last for so long. And, of course, Len was so central to it all. I would aay he was the grown up, but he was often rhe naughtiest of us all.

My God, we had some hilarious times on Dancing in LA. And somehow old grumpy chops with his twinkle and mischievous air was always central to it.

last Novemeber my wife Tess and i wandered into the lounge at LAX and there they were Bruno, Len and his lovely Sue. we had such a laugh, there and across the Atlantic and finally at Heathrow where i aaid goodbye to my friend for what what would be the last time. 

thank you Len for coming on the journey, for making the most of the opportunity and for bringing so much happiness to all. God bless you old chum.