Dancing with The Stars has honored legendary Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman in the best way possible – a clean and simple waltz.
It’s the first season of the American dancing competition to air since Len tragically passed away in April this year at the age of 78, and they’ve since made a huge change.
Judge Derek Hough, co-host Julianne Hough, the current troupe of DWTS professional dancers and eight former pros returned to the ballroom to perform a spectacular dance tribute to Moon River by Henry Mancini.
Viewers were delighted to see the return of several DWTS alumni, Kym Herjavec, Anna Trebunskaya, Karina Smirnoff, Edyta Sliwinska, Tony Dovolani, Louis van Amstel, Maks Chmerkovskiy, and Mark Ballas.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room after the emotional routine – where Len’s former seat was left empty – and close pal and fellow judge Bruno Tonioli rushed away in tears.
At the end of the dance, Len’s voice came over the ballroom, saying: “All good things have to come to an end.”
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Bruno was seen being comforted by co-star Carrie Ann Inaba, who was also left sobbing, while many of the pro dancers were clearly struggling to contain their emotions.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer wrote: “Len Goodman’s tribute was so moving, and seeing Carrie-Ann and Bruno consoling each other is making me cry so much”
“They showed that empty chair with Bruno and Carrie Ann and I was a freaking goner, how am I supposed to recover???,” asked another.
A third put: “The len goodman tribute dance, im bawling. BRUNO CRYING, DEREK CRYING, VAL’ S SADDENED STARE. BAWLING. SOBBING ON THE FLOOR RN”
Speaking before the routine, Derek explained he had known “charming” Len since the age of 12, adding: “Being a judge alongside Len, I was able to spend more time with him. For that I am grateful.”
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Cheryl Burke was one of the former DWTS pros who announced she wasn’t part of the tribute dance.
Burke took to Threads on Thursday, sharing she wasn’t invited to the DWTS tribute but would be “there in spirit.”
Len, whose death certificate revealed he died after prostate cancer spread to his bones, was a much-loved member of the DWTS family and appeared on the judging panel since the show debuted in 2005.
In the season premiere a few weeks ago, it was announced that the show’s prize would be renamed the ‘Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy’.
Len announced his exit from the show during last year’s season where he confirmed he would be retiring from the show.
The former dance teacher explained that he wanted to spend more time with his family in the UK.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Len gave some details about why he made the decision to step down: “Doing a live show you have to be at the top of your game and quick to react. And as one gets older, then things start to get more challenging.
“I haven’t fallen asleep or started dribbling yet on the show, so I thought it’s best to go before I start to do so!”
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+, and is available to stream the next day on Hulu.
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