Axed Strictly professional Brendan Cole has revealed he would love to return to the show and dance as part of a tribute to honour the late Len Goodman – but admitted he may not be ‘welcome’ on the BBC dance floor.
The former TV judge died at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells following a short battle with bone cancer in April, days ahead of his 79th birthday.
Len was a much-loved judge on Strictly after joining the show when it launched in 2004 and staying on the panel until 2016.
Speaking to The Sun Brendan, 47, who appeared in 15 seasons of the show before being axed in 2018, remembered Len as kind and brilliant’.
Telling the publication: ‘The nicest thing Strictly could do would be to do a really big group number maybe even with the ex pros to come back.
Honesty: Axed Strictly professional Brendan Cole, 47, has revealed he would love to return to the show and dance as part of a tribute to honour the late Len Goodman – but admitted he may not be ‘welcome’ on the BBC dance floor
RIP: The former judge died at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells following a short battle with bone cancer in April, days ahead of his 79th birthday (pictured in 2014)
‘I’m not suggesting for myself, I’m not sure I’d be allowed in the building but to do some form of tribute’.
Going on to say: ‘Because [Len] made the show. So something like that with (wife) Sue there in the audience. I don’t know….something nice. If I was the exec producer that’s what I’d be doing. That’s why I’m not the exec producer!’
Brendan revealed he had been axed from Strictly Come Dancing after 15 series on the show, admitting he had been kept in the dark on why producers decided not to renew his contract.
He said: ‘This is hard to talk about. The BBC haven’t renewed my contract. They have made an editorial decision not to have me back on the show. I have had 15 incredible series on the show, they are a great team.
‘I am very disappointed. It’s an editorial decision. I will never know the ins and outs.’
The BBC told MailOnline at the time: ‘We’d like to thank Brendan for being part of the show since the beginning – winner of the first series – and for the contribution he has made to its success. We wish him all the very best for the future.’
However sources also told MailOnline:’The judges did not want him back. The rows he had in the last series with judges Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli were the last straw.
‘Brendan was stubborn and did not back down, which created an atmosphere backstage at the last series.
Bye! Brendan revealed he had been axed from Strictly Come Dancing after 15 series on the show, admitting he had been kept in the dark on why producers decided not to renew his contract (pictured with partner Natasha Kaplinsky in 2004)
Part of the furniture: Len was a much-loved judge on Strictly after joining the show when it launched in 2004 and staying on the panel until 2016
‘The producers believe no one is bigger than the show. Not one judge has reached out to him which says a lot. He was not popular. His time was up and it seemed like Brendan was the last to know.’
A spokesman for the star told MailOnline: ‘I can confirm he died peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family.’
As well as winning a legion of fans in the UK, he also became a big name in the US after joining the American version of the show Dancing With The Stars. He remained with the series from 2005 until 2022.
HE started his career as a welder and only became interested in dancing when his doctor told him to take it up to help him recover from a foot injury.
Len went on to become a successful professional dancer winning titles including The British Exhibition Championships and the World Exhibition Championships and later continued his love of dance after retiring by forming the Goodman Dance Academy in Kent to help others achieve their dreams.
Downing Street said Rishi Sunak had been upset by the death of the former Strictly and Dancing with the Stars head judge.
‘He was a great entertainer and a popular face on TV screens up and down the country. He will be missed by many,’ the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.
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.’
And judge Anton Du Beke paid tribute to his ‘dear friend of nearly 45 years’, calling him a ‘national treasure’.
He chronicled his rise to fame in his 2009 memoir Better Late Than Never: From Barrow Boy to Ballroom and went on to publish two more tomes – Len’s Lost London and Dancing Around Britain.
He announced his retirement from Dancing With The Stars last year and on his final episode he was presented with his own Mirrorball trophy.
Len said of the honour: ‘That is fantastic. ‘It has been such a joy for me to have been part of Dancing with the Stars. It really has.
‘I’ve had such a wonderful time and this is absolutely the cherry on the cake.’
