Len Goodman on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Photo: Getty Images
Dancing with the Stars’beloved pro dancers returned to the ballroom on Tuesday night for a touching tribute to late head judgeLen Goodman.
The emotional mid-show segment began with a pre-recorded package with all the pros, including judgeDerek Houghand co-hostJulianne Hough, where they spoke about their most beloved memories of Goodman. From how “charming” he was, to his constructive — and loving — criticism, the pro dancers had nothing but good things to say about the late judge and his influence on the series.
The pros also spoke about Goodman’s life off-camera, which fans didn’t get a chance to see, including the moments they spent together and how he adored his family and wife.
“One of the things I’m most thankful for is being able to judge alongside Len,” Derek said through his tears. “I was able to spend a little more extra time with him and for that, I’m really thankful.”
The performance finished with a spotlight on Len’s former chair at the judges' desk as the crowd rose to their feet and applauded, and the rest of the pros and judges broke down in tears.
Ahead of the performance, Val’s older brother Maks, as well as Johnson-Herjavec, Dovolani and Smirnoff exclusively opened up to PEOPLE aboutcreating “a really touching moment"forDWTSfans and their decision to return to the ballroom.
Smirnoff, 45, promised the tribute would be a “love letter” to the late head judge.
“To come back and read that love letter or dance that love letter to him, saying thank you for his input into our world, I think it’s a no-brainer,” she said of her decision to return for the performance. “We are all excited and grateful to have that opportunity and for the show to be able to give that to us.”
Maks, 43, shared that it’s an honor to return to the ballroom because “there’s no me without Len,” adding, “And that’s the reality. So whenever there’s an opportunity to pay respect, I think I would love to be a part of that.”
Len Goodman.
Johnson-Herjavec, 47, and Dovolani, 50, shared that the tribute would be fitting for Goodman, as Dovolani explained, “It’s a classic dance that really requires a lot of, as Len would say, just the right amount of zazz so he liked classical dances, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do for him.”
Johnson-Herjavec added: “He didn’t like the gimmicks. He liked straight-up dancing, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be very beautiful, very classic — like Len, really.”
However, one alum of the show was noticeably missing from the tribute. Last week, former proCheryl Burkeclaimed she wasnot asked to returnto the ballroom for the special performance. (Reps atDWTSdid not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.)
She went on to praise his “tough love and no B.S. approach,” and shared that Goodman’s “respect for the art and sport of ballroom dance showed me and millions of people how much you truly cared.”
DuringDWTS’s season premiere last month, co-hostsAlfonso RibeiroandJulianne Houghannounced the show would have a “spectacular tributeto Len from our dancers that you won’t wanna miss.”
They also revealed the Mirrorball Trophy would now benamed the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophyin his honor.
“Len will always be going forward with us,” Hough said, as Ribeiro added, “As a tribute to him, we redesigned and renamed our ultimate prize.”
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Dancing with the Starsairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
source: people.com
