Craig Revel Horwood Remembers Len Goodman After Strictly Jive

A performance on Strictly Come Dancing brought back memories of one of the BBC show's most familiar judges when Craig Revel Horwood watched Graeme Hall and professional partner Lauren Oakley perform a jive on Saturday, October 10. The judge became emotional during his feedback after Hall's appearance reminded him of the late Len Goodman, who led the judging panel for a decade.

Hall and Oakley performed the high-energy routine during the competition's third week, as 14 remaining contestants took to the dance floor. Their performance earned a total of 25 points, with Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse each awarding six points and Anton Du Beke giving the couple seven.

Revel Horwood explained that Hall's appearance, particularly his flat cap, brought Goodman to mind. The former head judge died in 2023 at the age of 78 from bone cancer.

"I felt like I was watching dear Len Goodman with the flatcap. It brought back some memories, I got a bit emosh darling through that. I'm not going to cry, don't worry." said Craig Revel Horwood, Strictly Come Dancing judge.

Goodman served as head judge from the program's launch in 2004 until 2014, although he made his final appearance on the show in 2016. His connection to the competition remains a point of recognition for longtime viewers.

Hall also described the challenges he faced while preparing for the routine. Speaking to presenter Johannes Radebe after leaving the dance floor, he recalled struggling with the performance during the middle of the week before completing it with Oakley.

"I had a bit of a meltdown Wednesday. I didn't think I'd be doing that, but we did it." said Graeme Hall, Strictly Come Dancing contestant.

Hall later told Radebe that he had enjoyed performing the dance with Oakley. His comments followed the emotional response to the routine and the judges' feedback.

Viewers subsequently shared their reactions on X, with several agreeing that Hall's appearance recalled Goodman. One user described the resemblance as an observation they had made throughout the evening.

"It's so funny Craig mentioned about Graeme looking like Len Goodman because I've been saying the exact same thing all evening, then thinking,' Don't be so ridiculous' #strictly #strictlycomedancing." wrote one Strictly Come Dancing viewer on X.

Other viewers focused on Goodman's enduring influence on the program and the emotional connection his former colleagues and fans continue to express.

"#Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing I love the fact that Len Goodman's legacy still lives on." wrote another viewer on X.

A third viewer agreed with Revel Horwood's comparison, suggesting that Goodman would have appreciated Hall's performance.

"Aw, that did feel very Len Craig is absolutely right, Len would've loved Graeme I feel x." wrote another viewer on X.

Additional reactions highlighted the judge's absence from the show and praised Hall and Oakley's partnership.

"I miss Len Goodman too, Craig. #Strictly" wrote another viewer on X.

One more viewer expressed confidence that Goodman would have approved of the contestant and his professional partner.

"Len would be proud of this one, forever proud of Lauren and Graeme." wrote another viewer on X.