Devastated Anton Du Beke had no idea 'good friend' Len Goodman was dying

Anton Du Beke has told of his shock at Len Goodman’s death after the former Strictly head judge kept his bone cancer a secret.

Len died in a hospice last month, just three days before his 79th birthday. Anton, 56, said: “I knew Len as man and boy really, we became very good friends.

“But I didn’t know he was ill, it was the suddenness of it. And I found out in a not particularly lovely way – I was called by a TV station wanting me to go on and talk about it. That wasn’t ideal.

“I just remember writing a stream of consciousness on Instagram. I didn’t want to do a two-line Twitter post – it seemed not enough. He was a great raconteur. I’ll always remember a wonderful tale he told about competing being like sailing a boat.

“I just remember writing a stream of consciousness on Instagram, because I didn’t want to do a two line Twitter post - it seemed not enough.

Len was the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing (PA)

“People always say: ‘Oh, he was the same off camera’ but he really was. And he was a great raconteur - I’ll always remember a wonderful tale he told about competing being like sailing a boat.

“At the time it was the most brilliant thing I’d ever heard. That was Len.

“Strictly were lucky to have him. If they had chosen anyone else in that role it wouldn’t have worked as well. But he was the perfect guy.

Anton also opened up about the judges’ pay row – revealing he had not been involved in the push for a rise as he had already signed a contract.

Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Hor­­wood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton were reported to have wanted an 11% increase, but later settled for closer to 5%.

But Anton, a judge since 2021, said: “I don’t know what that was all about, I signed mine months ago.”

An Evening With Anton is on tour until November. See antondubeke.tv