Len Goodman's Former 'Dancing with the Stars' Costars React to His Death: 'We Will Miss You'

"I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together," Bruno Tonioli wrote in his tribute to Goodman

Len Goodman's Dancing with the Stars family is paying their respects.

The show's former head judge died on Saturday surrounded by his family at a hospice in Kent, England, at age 78, his manager Jackie Gill confirmed in a statement released Monday morning. He had bone cancer.

Tributes began pouring in on social media following the sad news, including several from Goodman's former fellow judges on the longtime dance-competition series.

"Heart broken [sic] my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom legend #lengoodman passed away," wrote Bruno Tonioli, sharing a fun, candid photo of himself and Goodman smiling widely while in an embrace.

"I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together @bbcstrictly @dancingwiththestars," added Tonioli, 67. "[There] will never be anyone like you we will miss you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Bruno."

For her part, Carrie Ann Inaba posted a video montage of playful moments between herself and Goodman over the years, referring to the late dance legend as "A Dancer. A teacher. A refined gentleman. A wonderful storyteller. A special soul. A mentor. A family man. And … A treasured friend."

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"Saying goodbye at the end of last season broke my heart. But today's news has shattered it all over again. I can't believe that you're gone. 💔," she continued.

"You were one of a kind my dear friend. And I will cherish our memories and hold them close, while I join so many others in mourning your loss," said Inaba, 55.

She went on to thank Goodman "for all that you shared with us," including "your humor, your wisdom, your wit and your truth."

"Until we meet again …✨, Rest In Peace Len 🤍," Inaba concluded.

Related:Len Goodman, Former Dancing with the Stars Head Judge, Dead at 78

Sharing his own tribute to Goodman, former DWTS host Tom Bergeron posted a collage of photos of the pair over the years with costars and more.

"A Good Man, indeed. 😞 #rip," he wrote in the caption.

Siblings and pro dancers, Derek and Julianne Hough, both paid tribute to Goodman in emotional posts on Instagram.

Derek, who served as a pro and judge on DWTS, wrote in his tribute: "Heart broken [sic] by the news of our dear friend and mentor Len Goodman. It's a gloomy morning here in Los Angeles which seems fitting after this heart breaking news. But when I think back at the memories we all shared with Len, his sense of humor, his smile and charm everything feels much brighter and full of sunshine."

He continued, "Still hard to fully process but filled with gratitude knowing I had the privilege of working beside this absolute legend. We will miss you dearly Len. We love you ❤️ Rest In Peace my friend"

In her post, Julianne — who has since been named the new co-host of DWTS — reflected on the first time she met Goodman and the impact he had on her life in the time since that day.

"From the time we met when I was 10 years old competing in London, to my first time on DWTS and feeling at home because of your familiar face and warm embrace. To the many 7's (SeVUUUHN) that turned in to my first ever 10 I received from you. To all the rules I broke on the dance floor that you were stern about but then would see me back stage and tell me you loved it. To then have sat by your side as a judge, rather partner, for so many years creating so many inside jokes and memories in the ballroom and outside of the ballroom, was and will be a sacred part of my life that I'll always cherish," she wrote.

"The wisdom, playfulness, and class that radiated from you touched all of us with such impact. I'm forever grateful for the many years you influenced my past, present and future! What an honor it has been to have been a part of your wonderful life. You're a legend and left a beautiful legacy.
I love you forever. Sending all my love to your family and especially 'your Sue' 🤍🕊️🕺🪩" she added.

Pro dancer Alan Bersten shared a photo of him and partner Amanda Kloots with Goodman and said he was "absolutely heartbroken" by the news.

"There was no better feeling than making him smile. When you got a 10 from Len you knew it was because you did something special and that made it feel even better," he wrote. "@amandakloots just reminded me of one of the best things I've ever heard and it was from Len. He said 'dance is an outward expression of an inner emotion'. That's something I will cherish for all of my days. RIP Len. 💔"

Sharna Burgess also shared a touching tribute alongside a photo of the duo dancing together.

"10 paddles all around for you my friend. What an incredible impact you had on the Ballroom Dancing industry and those of us lucky enough to work with you. You helped bring our art form to the world in a new way, you helped us show how beautiful and special it is… how cool it could be. Thank you for always reminding us where we came from, for always authentically being yourself, for all the tough love and especially for the 10's. A 10 from you was just about the greatest feeling we could hope for on show day," she captioned the shot.

Burgess added: "I'm sure you are surrounded by all the things you love up there, like perfect technique and traditional moves :) Rest in Peace my Grumpy Old Len, and save a dance for me 🤍🕊️"

Kym Johnson-Herjavec posted a photograph of herself and Goodman, writing in her caption, "Heartbroken 💔 Heavens gates are covered in 10 paddles and mirror balls today."

She added: "Nothing made you feel better than getting a 10 from Len. He was a class act with a cheeky grin and quick wit. You will be so missed . Rest In Peace sweet Len."

Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy penned a touching tribute on her Instagram Story beside a photo with partner JoJo Siwa in rehearsals with Goodman. The pro dancer said the rehearsal "will always be one of my favorite memories on the show."

She went on to explain that Goodman was expected to help them with their Argentine Tango but instead started "dancing around the room demonstrating a fiery yet slinky" version of the dance "with so much passion and charisma."

"He had a smirk on his face and a twinkle in his eye and my heart melted for that pure love of dance," she recalled. "He will forever be our legend that you wanted to show up for and get a 10 from. So grateful for his wisdom these past 9 years."

On husband Val Chmerkovskiy's Instagram Story, he shared a photo of Goodman from years ago and wrote, "Len Goodman helped put us all on the map. Rest in peace my friend."

In a video on his Instagram, Maksim Chmerkovskiy spoke about the impact Goodman left on the ballroom.

"There's simply no Maksim Chmerkovskiy from Dancing with the Stars without Len Goodman," he said in the clip.

Maksim's wife, Peta Murgatroyd, also responded to the news in several posts on her Instagram Story. "This is incredibly sad. My heart hearts," she wrote, in part. "What a monumental figure on network television. What an incredible judge, what an incredible person to be on live TV with for 13 years."

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Keo Motsepe, in his own tribute, wrote, "Rest well Sir Len. You will be missed 💔," alongside the hashtags, "#Legend," "#ThankYou" and "#RIP."

Daniella Karagach's tribute called the news "heartbreaking" and remembered how "there's nothing like an iconic 10 from Len... I'm honored I got to meet and dance for you every Monday night. We know you'll always be watching over and guiding us along the way. You will be greatly missed."

Emma Slater also thanked Goodman for his knowledge, encouragement and guidance over the years in a sweet tribute on her Instagram.

"Thank you for all that you have given to us, the dance world wouldn't be what it is today without you. You are the father of ballroom without doubt, and you kept us all in line. But it's the personality for me that shone the most, you always had it, slide to see that face at the end! Ahhh Love you Len!" she wrote. "Thinking of your family right now, my love goes to them. I first met you 21 years ago and you judged me at competitions in the UK when I was a kid. My parents would take me to all the competitions that you judged at because you always marked me well!!! Haha I reminded you that in this video taken when you retired last season."

"Glad I got to tell you what an impact you have on me and how much I admire you. We will miss you so much Len, this really was your ballroom ❤️" she added.

In the statement announcing Goodman's death on Monday, which was shared with BBC News, Gill said, "It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78."

"A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him," the statement added.

The former professional dancer appeared on DWTS from 2005 until 2022. He was also a head judge on the British version of the show, Strictly Come Dancing, from its launch in 2004 until 2016.

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