In America today, they were showing an inteview of Len on Extra when he said he'd run naked through Ralphs supermarket if Sean Spicer won. He said he did a test run already and it was going great until he got to the frozen food aisle. Classic. I don't know where to start as there are so many stories, and there is so so much to say about our dear friend, Len. I have been lucky enough to have had both Len and Sue in my life for 20 years. What a journey it's been. From the very first Strictly pilot back in 2003 on April 25th (which happened to be Len's 60th birthday) to today, April 25th 2023 which would have been Len's 80th birthday a LOT happened. Len waltzed, foxtrotted and cha-cha'd onto my radar and into my life in 2003 when I was Series Producer and part of the development team for Strictly Come Dancing. I, alongside our amazing team had been talking to everyone we could in the Ballroom Dancing community, in our search for a judge who would give the show credibility with their expertise and knowledge of ballroom. Despite us being only days away from the pilot and it being far too late to be adding new judge names to the mix, I hopped on the phone with this bloke called Len Goodman, who apparently knew a thing or two about ballroom dancing. The phone call led to me inviting Len to come in and have a chat. And the rest, as they say is history. We shot the pilot on Len's 60th birthday. Len was a star from the get go. When we launched Dancing with the Stars in the US in 2005, I called him again, days before the US pilot and asked him if he wouldn't mind hot footing it to LA pronto as we wanted him to be the head judge over here. He was playing golf naturally, but put down his clubs and didn't mutter so much as a grumble - by now he was accustomed to my surprise phone calls. I used to say to him before the live shows, be yourself and you'll be fine. And fine he was. More than fine. He was briliant. That's the thing, Len is one of a kind. He's magic. Everyone loved him. Len was straight talking, no nonsense, wildly entertaining, humble, hard working, talented and quick-witted. He had a turn of phrase like no other, the gift of the gab,a twinkle in his eye and a spring in his step. He gave the best advice, loved a grumble, hated salads, was obsessed with the number seven and never got caught up in his own success. Despite all of his so well deserved success, and endless flying back and forth between the UK and the US, Len and Sue became family. Len was the MC and judge at my first wedding, where he rather enthusiastically held a dance competition for all of our guests (which was taken a little bit too seriously by some names I won't mention here...), he is my son, Leopold's godfather. I will continue to channel my "inner Len" as Leopold grows up and try to pass on Len's moral code, wicked sense of humor and character to my son, so he can also be a true gentleman. I am beyond grateful for the 20 years of friendship, stories and laughs Len gave me and of the incredible ballroom journey we went on. Rest in peace, sir leonard. I love you so very much xxx