Len Goodman was surprised to be replaced by Shirley Ballas on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Len Goodman

Len Goodman

The 73-year-old ballroom expert stepped down as head judge on the show at the end of last year and admitted he was expecting Anton du Beke or one of the show's other professional dancers to take over his job.

He told Closer Magazine: "My only wish was that they would get someone from the world of ballroom, for the [knowledge of] technique.

"If I'd had a bet, I would've thought Anton would probably get it - he's been on the show since day one - or Brendan Cole or Karen Hardy.

"But I'm pretty sure Anton will end up being on the show for a long time, he's a lovely bloke with a great personality."

But Len thinks Shirley will do her "absolute best" on the panel and advised her not to put on an act.

He said: "I've known Shirley since she was a kid and I know she will do the absolute best she can, and that's all I ever did.

"My advice? Just be yourself."

Now he's no longer on 'Strictly', Len has a bit more free time so can next be seen hosting quiz show 'Partners in Rhyme' and though he initially worried he'd be a "hopeless" presenter, he's had a great time.

He said: "I'd never done a quiz and I was worried I'd be bloody hopeless, but I was up for the challenge and I thought, 'If Bradley Walsh can do it...'

"When you get to a certain age, you want to be doing things that give you enjoyment and I'm so glad I did this - it was such a laugh."

Tagged in