Len Goodman’s ‘Partners in Ryhme’ has been cut short.
The 73-year-old television veteran returned to screens last month to front the celebrity game show following his shock departure from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ as head judge last year, but the BBC have decided to cancel the last episode in the series to make room for the new instalment of the ballroom and latin show.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "It just didn’t make sense to have his new show directly before the show he used to be on. Obviously, producers are hoping for fans to focus on new head judge Shirley Ballas. Len is hugely popular but ‘Partners In Rhyme’ hasn’t been the huge hit everyone hoped."
But, although bosses have decided to pull the plug on the final episode for the time being, a spokesperson for the broadcaster has confirmed fans won’t have to wait too long to hear more of Len’s rhymes as he’ll be back on screens at the end of the year.
A BBC representative said: "The final episode of this run of ‘Partners In Rhyme’ has been moved in the schedules, as the BBC begins to accommodate the return of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Have no fear, more of Len’s rhymes are near, he’ll be back on your telly before the end of the year."
Len announced he was walking away from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ at the end of last year and bosses went on a frantic hunt to find his replacement.
Earlier this year it was announced that Shirley would be taking his place and she recently admitted she "dropped to her knees" when she found out she’d got the job.
She explained: "I was at work in Los Angeles in the studio and the phone went and I excused myself from the lesson and I just dropped to my knees when the lady said we want to offer you the job. So many great people went for the lovely role… and they chose me with my credentials."
Len Goodman’s show cut short because of Strictly Come Dancing
