Cheryl Burke shared her personal tribute to the late Len Goodman after claiming she wasn’t invited to take part within the official Dancing With the Stars memorial efficiency.
“There are particular individuals who by no means depart us, even after they’re gone. Len Goodman is one among them… 🤍,” Burke, 39, wrote through Instagram on Tuesday, October 24, alongside an emotional video.
Within the clip, Burke spoke on to the digital camera whereas reflecting on her shut bond with Goodman, who died in April at age 78. “Though I’m not going to be within the ballroom tonight, I nonetheless need to have the ability to categorical how a lot Len Goodman meant to me and the affect he had on my aggressive profession even earlier than Dancing With the Stars,” she mentioned. “There are usually not sufficient phrases to actually describe how a lot he actually made such a huge effect on my life, however why not give it a shot.”
Burke recalled that Goodman was “one of many many judges” who she carried out for whereas competing in Europe as a young person lengthy earlier than DWTS started in 2005. “To today … I at all times get requested who my favourite choose is,” she mentioned. “And with out hesitation, I might constantly and nonetheless to today say Len Goodman.”
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She praised Goodman for “being the face of ballroom dancing and at all times standing by what was proper it doesn’t matter what,” noting that Goodman was “an enormous a part of why Dancing With the Stars is an enormous hit.” Burke went on to recollect his “powerful love and no B.S. method” to judging on the ABC ballroom dance competitors, stating that she at all times “appeared as much as” and admired his knowledgeable opinion.
“Extra importantly, your respect for the artwork and sport of ballroom dance confirmed me and hundreds of thousands of individuals how a lot you really cared. … All you ever wished to see was strictly ballroom,” she continued.
Burke received emotional as she addressed Goodman’s household, wiping tears from her eyes whereas noting that her greatest purpose on DWTS was to make Goodman “proud.” She thanked her late colleague “for altering my life” and “for bringing pleasure to hundreds of thousands of individuals” who tuned in to DWTS over time.
As she concluded her tribute, Burke gave a shout-out to the DWTS forged members acting on Tuesday’s episode — Maks Chmerkovskiy, Kym Johnson-Herjavec, Tony Dovolani, Mark Ballas and extra. “[I] want all the professional dancers tonight who’re participating in Len’s tribute a lot love,” she mentioned. “I do know that Len would give your efficiency an 11 if he may.”
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Burke raised eyebrows earlier this month when she claimed she wasn’t requested to affix the DWTS tribute. “For these of you asking if I’ll be part of Len Goodman’s tribute subsequent week on DWTS, sadly, I wasn’t invited nonetheless, I’ll be there in spirit and might’t wait to cheer my former colleagues on!” she wrote through Threads on Thursday, October 19. “Sending love and lightweight to everybody. 🤍🙏🏼 #riplen.”
Cohosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough introduced in the course of the October 17 episode of DWTS {that a} memorial routine was within the works to honor Goodman.. Earlier than season 32 premiered in September, it was revealed that the present renamed its last prize — the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy — as a strategy to maintain the late star’s spirit alive.
Goodman was one of many unique judges when DWTS debuted in 2005 alongside Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. He introduced his retirement in November 2022. Former professional Derek Hough has since joined the judging panel.
