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Over the years, numerous judges have taken to the panel at Strictly Come Dancing. One of the originals was Len Goodman, who left Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 after working on the show since its founding. Tragically, Len died in 2023 from bone cancer just days before he was due to turn 79 years old. One professional dancer who appeared on the BBC dance competition for several years is Ian Waite, who competed from 2004 to 2009. He reached the final in his first two series with Denise Lewis (Series 2) and Zoe Ball (Series 3), where he finished in third place. Speaking exclusively to Express Online on behalf of Buzz Bingo, Ian has opened up about what it was like working with the late judge.
"I'd known Len Goodman for many years before I started Strictly, so I had a mate there already on the panel," he said. "He was always very supportive; he'd tell me if I did anything wrong, and he'd call me out as well."
He added, "If you got too big for your boots, he’d know how to put you down. Or, if you were really struggling, he'd give you some words of encouragement, which would be amazing. I love good old Len, bless him. We miss him a lot, I think the show misses him to a certain extent.”
Speaking about Anton Du Beke being a judge, Ian commented: "He's been there since the beginning, and he's an amazing character. He's funny and he knows what he's talking about. He's experienced it and has been through enough dance partners on the show to know what they're going through."
When quizzed about whether he ever experienced backstage nerves, Ian confessed: "Even the pros, we get really nervous because it's not very often you dance in front of 10 million people live. Anything can happen. You're also dancing with a beginner, so you never know what they're going to do.
“I fell over in my second season with Zoe Ball. We got into the final, and we did our show dance. Zoe didn't throw the fan off properly, and I fell over. Anything like that can happen, especially on live TV. It's very nerve-wracking even for us seasoned pros.”
Would he ever be tempted to go back to Strictly? Ian replied: “Strictly is an amazing show, and it was so incredible to be part of it. I love the Strictly family, I always have done.
"I did 10 years on It Takes Two, so never say never. I think it would have to be something other than a dancing role, but perhaps a judging or presenting role. I’d love that. If they want to create one for me, I'm always available.”
Strictly Come Dancing resumes on Saturday, October 4, on BBC One.