“Dancing With the Stars honours its eternal head judge.
During the show’s “Most Memorable Year” week, several former pro dancers reunited with current pros for a number dedicated to Len Goodman. The dance was choreographed by husband and wife team and current pros Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson.
The number, which paid tribute to Goodman’s love of ballroom dancing, was set to Henry Mancini’s classic “Moon River” and featured returning dancers Kym Herjavec, Anna Trebunskaya, Karina Smirnoff, Edyta Sliwinska, Tony Dovolani, Louis van Amstel, Maks Chmerkovskiy and Mark Ballas. Current judge Derek Hough and host Julianne Hough also took part in the number, which followed a mashup video in which all the dancers shared their favourite memories with Goodman.
The number ended with Goodman’s voiceover saying “All good things must come to an end”. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli were seen crying.
Goodman died in April at the age of 78. He had served as head judge since the show’s debut and announced his retirement at the end of last season. During the season 32 premiere, co-hosts Alfonso Ribiero and Julianne Hough announced that the winning couple would be awarded the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy at the end of the season.
Ahead of the special, pro Cheryl Burke took to Threads to reveal that she won’t be appearing in the special. “For those of you asking if I will be a part of Len Goodman’s tribute on DWTS next week, unfortunately I wasn’t invited,” she wrote. “However, I will be there in spirit and can’t wait to cheer on my former colleagues! Sending love and light to all. #RIPLen”
Ahead of Tuesday’s show, Burke – who appeared on the show for 26 seasons – shared a video tribute to Goodman via Instagram, captioning it, “There are special people who never leave us, even when they’re gone. Len Goodman is one of them…”
“Thank you for being the face of ballroom dancing and for always standing up for what was right, no matter what,” she said in the video, before breaking down in tears. “Because of you, ballroom dancing was brought to mainstream television… Thank you for representing us ballroom dancers and never compromising on what we stand for in the ballroom community. Thank you for changing my life and bringing joy to millions of people who have watched us over the years.
