Yahoo News Len Goodman reveals he's not in touch with the Strictly judges
Len Goodman has just confessed that he's not in touch with the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel – and we almost fell off our chairs like Bruno Tonioli upon hearing the shock admission.
(Here we were imagining them having casual wild knees-ups all the time and exchanging in-jokes on a special WhatsApp group.)
The 74-year-old former head judge – who was replaced by Shirley Ballas after retiring in 2016 after 12 years on the show – admitted that he's been very busy with his family instead, telling Good Housekeeping UK: "No, [I'm not in touch with the judges] – I'm a geezer!
"No, I don't meet up with them. I met up with Bruno because we were judges on the American version [Dancing with the Stars] but Craig [Revel Horwood] lives in the wilds somewhere and Darcey [Bussell] has a family. And I'd rather be with my family. I'd rather be with my grandchildren. I'm just enjoying myself."
He praised Shirley for being "true to herself" as head judge, continuing: "If you take over from someone, you're always compared to them, to a degree, and I think she's done very well.
"She's been true to herself, she's not trying to be what she's not, and I think she's done a very good job."
Len – who still judges on Dancing with the Stars – also admitted that he mostly watches Strictly these days because his wife loves it so much, and that while Ashley Roberts could be the best, the public might back underdog Joe Sugg for the win.
"I've watched [Strictly] the last couple of weeks because my wife likes it, so she watches it.
"I don't watch it avidly but I think the standard is terrific, I really do. There's one girl [Ashley Roberts] who is dancing with Pasha [Kovalev] who is terrific.
"As a judge, you have to mark her as the best. However, as a viewer you might say, 'I want someone who can't dance who has had a struggle and overcome and got to a decent standard', and I understand that, and I think that's what's happened to her."
Len suggested that her vast dance experience could hinder her chances of lifting that glitterball trophy, while Joe has probably "climbed mountains" to secure his place in the finals.
"As a judge on it, you have to just judge the dancing with your brain. When you're a viewer you can judge with your heart, and if you feel sorry for someone or if you think the judges have been bullies, you can come to their rescue," the star continued.
"I think Ashley can already dance quite a bit... If you go to stage school, you may not be learning the waltz, but you do learn about movement and coordination and rhythm and timing, which will help in any form of dance. Any experience is good.
"Joe is probably – out of the four that is left – is probably the worst one, I don't know for sure... But I think people admire him. Some of them have climbed hills, he's probably climbed mountains.
"Anyway we'll see. It's so exciting!"
Meanwhile, Len has been busy with his role as UK ambassador for Age UK, taking part in the charity's annual Love Christmas carol concert at St Paul's Cathedral last night (December 11).
"Loneliness is such a devastating experience and Age UK is doing everything it can to help combat this huge problem," Len explained.
"Age UK’s Love Christmas carol concert is a fantastic event. I loved seeing so many people join in to celebrate a wonderful time of year and help support Age UK at the same time.
"With the money raised they will be able to continue providing much-needed support for older people facing later life alone."
The Age UK Advice is a free service, open 365 days a year offering essential support on a wide range of issues. Call for free on 0800 169 65 65, open 8am to 7pm.
The Strictly Come Dancing final airs on BBC One this weekend.
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