Len Goodman wanted to leave ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ before he was kicked out.
The 72-year-old professional ballroom mover has been the show’s head judge for 12 years but has now decided it’s time to hand over the reins to someone else before he’s chucked off screen due to viewers’ lack of love for him.
Speaking to the Kent and Sussex Courier newspaper, he explained: "I am doing one last series – it will be my swansong…One more ‘Strictly…’ and then I will see what happens. At the end of the day I have been doing it for 12 years and I wanted to get out before people started saying, ‘Get that old boy off.’ "
And, although he’s yet to leave, Len is already considering who might take the baton once the next series wraps up.
He explained: "It would be nice if [‘Strictly’s’ professional dancer] Anton Du Beke took over – someone from the world of ballroom rather than stage or theatre dancing."
And, although bosses are devastated to see him go, producers are determined to give Len the best send off by making his final series the "most spectacular" yet.
Louise Rainbow, Executive Producer of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ said: "Whilst we will be sad to say goodbye to Len, as our way of saying thank you, we are all determined to make this series the most spectacular and most glittery."
Len Goodman: I want to leave Strictly Come Dancing before people get sick of me
