A former Strictly Come Dancing pro has opened up on what it was like working with Len Goodman behind the scenes of the BBC dancing competition.
Len, who passed away in 2023 just days before his 79th birthday, was a firm favourite among fans of the long-running series thanks to his kindly delivered constructive criticism and avuncular attitude.
Having sat as a judge on the show since its debut in 2004, alongside Arlene Phillips, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli, he waved goodbye to the series in 2016.
But according to one of his former co-stars, Len left a lasting impact.
Speaking of his relationship with Len on and off camera, professional dancer Ian Waite revealed what viewers saw on the BBC show was exactly how he behaved off screen, too.
Ian, 54, who left Strictly in 2010, told Express Online: 'He was always very supportive; he'd tell me if I did anything wrong, and he'd call me out as well.'
A former Strictly Come Dancing pro has opened up on what it was like working with Len Goodman behind the scenes of the BBC dancing competition.
Ian Waite revealed what viewers saw on the BBC show was exactly how head judge Len behaved off screen, too.
'If you got too big for your boots, he'd know how to put you down, or, if you were really struggling, he'd give you some words of encouragement.
'We miss him a lot and I think the show misses him to a certain extent.'
Quizzed on how he feels about new judge Anton Du Beke, who stepped in to replace Bruno, 69, in 2022, Ian added that he thought the dancer was an 'amazing character'.
He gushed that Anton clearly 'knows what he's talking about', with it helping that the former professional dancer could bring the laughs, adding: 'He's funny!'
Ian also confirmed that while he loves the show, he would not return to the series as a dancer but, to maybe follow in Len's footsteps with a 'judging role'.
After leaving Strictly's dance floor, Ian featured on spin-off series It Takes Two for a decade, between 2011 and 2020.
Much-loved judge Len passed away peacefully in a hospice in Kent, England, in April 2023, following a short illness just six months into his retirement.
Strictly host Tess Daly led tributes to her former colleague, with a reference to his catchphrase 'seven!': 'You were never a seven for me, Len; you were always a ten.'
Len was part of the original judging line-up on Strictly, joining the show in 2004 before waving goodbye in 2016.
Ian, 54, who left Strictly in 2010, gushed over Len as 'supportive'.
Meanwhile judge Anton Du Beke paid tribute to his 'dear friend of nearly 45 years', calling him a 'national treasure'.
Bethnal Green-born Len, who grew up in Blackfen, Bexley, was a professional dancer and teacher who had also been a welder and dreamed of being a professional footballer.
He became a national treasure after auditioning for Strictly Come Dancing aged 60 when most people might be looking to retire.
As well as Strictly, he also appeared on the US version of the show, Dancing With the Stars from 2005 until November 2022.
In November, in his last appearance on TV, he announced he was retiring to spend more time with his wife Sue and his grandchildren.
Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood described Len Goodman as a 'gorgeous colleague and dear friend' in his moving tribute.
He penned: 'I've just woken up to the sad news that my gorgeous colleague and dear friend Len Goodman has passed away.
'My heart and love go out to his lovely Sue and family. Len Goody Goodman is what I always called him and "It's a ten from Len & seveeeeern" will live with me for ever.'
Strictly presenter Claudia Winkleman said the former judge was 'full of twinkle, warmth and wit', adding: 'I'm so sad about Len. He was one of a kind, a brilliant and kind man. Full of twinkle, warmth and wit. Sending all love to his family and friends.'
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday on BBC One and iPlayer.