Len Goodman on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Photo: Eric McCandless via Getty Images
Dancing with the Starsis paying tribute to its beloved late head judge,Len Goodman.
On Tuesday’s season 32 premiere of the dance competition reality show, the ballroom dancing legend — whodied at age 78 in April 2022, four months afterannouncing his retirementfromDWTS— was honored.
A photo of Goodman appeared on the screen behind the ballroom floor as cameras panned to the new Mirrorball Trophy — nownamed 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.”
The co-hosts also confirmed that the show will have a “spectacular tribute to Len from our dancers that you won’t wanna miss” coming in a few weeks.
The former professional dancer appeared onDWTSfrom 2005 until 2022. He was also a head judge on the British version of the show,Strictly Come Dancing, from its launch in 2004 until 2016.
Len Goodman and Lisa Vanderpump on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Last week, executive producer Conrad Green toldUSA Todaythat the show decided torename the iconic Mirrorball Trophyin his honor.
“The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy will now be lifted onDancing with the Starslike the Vince Lombardi trophy is lifted at the Super Bowl,” Green explained. “We wanted to make Len a permanent part of this show, to always remind people the importance he’s had toDancing with the Starsand how much he meant to all of us.”
“Len loves this show and will always be there, looking down on us,” the executive producer added.
Len Goodman on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Adam Taylor/ABC via Getty
While speaking to PEOPLE after theseason 32 casting announcementearlier this month, Ribeiro revealed how the show planned to honor theballroom judge’s legacyin the first season since his death.
“I can guarantee you thatevery one of those proswill be making sure that the routines are still designed for Len,” Riberio explained. “I know I’ve talked to a few of them and they will be putting in specific steps that Len used to love, just to make sure that the content is still there for Len.”
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airalum also assured fans that the show is “looking at doing something” to honor Goodman further and “there won’t be a dry eye in the house” when that moment comes.
“It’ll be amazing. I mean, he was the best,” he added.
Len Goodman.HGL/GC Images
Good Morning Americaunveiled the new cast for season 32 on Sept. 13. The stars competing includeMatt Walsh,Mauricio Umansky,Jason Mraz,Alyson Hannigan,Mira Sorvino,Adrian Peterson,Barry Williams,Tyson Beckford,Xochitl Gomez,Harry Jowsey,Lele Pons,Ariana Madix,Jamie Lynn SpearsandCharity Lawson.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Dancing with the Starsairs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
source: people.com
