The One Show’s Alex Jones breaks down in tears during emotional interview with Anton Du Beke after Len Goodman’s death
ALEX Jones was unable to hold back her tears while interviewing an emotional Anton Du Beke about the late Len Goodman.
Anton, 56, appeared on The One Show on Monday night to talk about the former Strictly Come Dancing judge, who has died from bone cancer age 78.
But as Anton opened up about the advice his friend Len had given him when he landed a judging role on the show himself, Alex also broke down.
Taking off his glasses as his voice broke, Anton said: “He said to me when I got…when I got the job, he said, ‘Say what you see and be yourself’.
“And that was exactly how Len was. He was himself. And I was lucky enough to know him for a long time – and lucky enough to call him a friend. So… I miss him.”
With her voice quivering, 46-year-old Alex told him: “Oh, Anton. God, what a lovely tribute to Len. My goodness.”
Once composed, the telly host then went on to tell Anton that he reminds her of Len.
“When we see you judging on Strictly, you really remind me of Len,” she said. “You really do. So he lives on through Anton.”
News of Len’s shock death broke on Monday morning.
A spokesperson for the star confirmed the former Strictly judge “died peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family,” in a Tunbridge Wells Hospice.
She added that Len was a “much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him”.
Anton admitted that his death had come as a complete “shock” to him.
He told Alex and her co-host Jermaine Jenas: “I woke up this morning to the news that Len had passed away. I had no idea that he was unwell. It was a shock.
“It’s been lovely to read all the things and hear all the things that people have been saying about him, because I’ve known Len for 40 years.”
With his voice breaking, he admitted: “I’m getting emotional now. I’ve been emotional all day. It’s ridiculous.
“But I’ve known Len for 40 years as a man and a boy and I remember him first judging me as a young dancer. He was different to everyone else. He was as you saw him. He was incredible and had that loveable rogue aspect about him as well.
“You wanted him to like what you did and that, for me, remained throughout my whole career.
“It was the same, ridiculously, on Strictly Come Dancing. I would value his comments more and above everyone else’s comments.
“He knew exactly what I was trying to do and there was an element of ‘let’s try and do this to please Len’.”
Describing Len as a “great friend”, Anton continued: “He was funny and brilliant and interesting and well informed.
“He was a joy to be with. That was the thing about Len – he had such joy and gave off such joy.”