Len Goodman: I thought Anton du Beke would waltz Strictly judge job

LEN GOODMAN has not exactly given his Strictly replacement Shirley Ballas the thumbs up — after insisting veteran show dancer Anton du Beke should have landed the job as a judge.

The 73-year-old, who stepped down at the end of last year, thought bosses would have picked ‘someone from the world of ballroom’.

He told Closer magazine: ‘If I’d had a bet, I would’ve thought Anton would probably get it — he’s been on the show since day one.’

Len thinks champion ballroom dancer Ballas ‘will do the absolute best she can, and that’s all I ever did’.

He also feared he’d be ‘hopeless’ as host of quiz show Partners In Rhyme but thought: ‘If Bradley Walsh can do it…’

Author: Tom Stichbury