Len is running rings round the BBC just like Brucie did, why are they pandering to him?

They are going to make a big fuss of his exit from the show - but he's not retiring, he's leaving the show (that made him) to go to America where the money is. What's worse is they're letting him continue on Radio 2 and allowing him do other BBC TV shows.

They should repay him for his disloyalty and tell him to get stuffed.

What's the big deal? The BBC do not own Len. What's all this guff about loyalty?

There is no 'letting' someone do something in the BBC. They give you a show because you can do it and you may have an audience. If he fails they will cancel the next one. This is business not family.

Media is a tough business. You sink or swim. You say yes or no. Lens choice is his alone.

And why shouldn't he go for the dosh in America. It's up to him.

I actually cannot stand the man. He's an ignorant bore, but I will defend absolutely his right to work wherever he chooses.

I think you're being harsh on someone who is basically cutting down on his workload. So we could say that rather than being disloyal, he's simply not being greedy.

sorry you are so upset about this.
I suggest a brisk walk to help you get things into proportion.

People leave jobs all the time, often for other jobs which offer more money or different challenges *shrugs*

Co-workers etc often make a fuss of them, especially if they've been there a long time, and rarely brand them "disloyal" for daring to leave.

This is just more high profile than most.

Omg he is getiing really old... maybe he wanna cut down some of his commitments... and he was only guess judge in US version this year anyway... maybe he wanna do something with more charitable programs or documentaries... thats his choice.

Glad to see him go and if it makes him go sooner, then give him a gold watch

Only a few years older than meand I was feeling soooo chirpy until I read this

Agree with all these posts.

I'm just glad he's leaving.

He's 72, that's not so old nowadays. Donald Trump is 70 and (unfortunately) doesn't seem to think that rules him out of an even bigger job than Strictly head judge...

(Of all the things that render Trump unfit to be president, age is probably the least of them!)

He's said he's only doing one more series (or year, I forget) of Dancing With The Stars, then quitting that as well. I presume he would have quit both at the same time but was locked into a longer-term contract over there.

He will not be that easy to replace , it looks simple but he adds more then just his knowledge , gravitas, humour, and panto villain not so easy to replace

But len was flying back and forth for years....

The only attribute I'd give him is the panto villain. It does not make up for his bad temper, petulance, sexist, outdated views and ignorance of anything other than 1950s ballroom.

He was lucky he got that job. Glad he's leaving.

ah that's why he keeps hearing boos that aren't happening, he psychic!

The quicker he goes the better, well past his sell by date (as are his pickled walnuts).
Please don't try to persuade him to stay, the Judges panel needs a shakeup.

What are you talking about? Len gave the beeb a year's notice that he is leaving the show. Providing his contract will have run out, which presumably it will, he is more than entitled to leave. People leave shows all the time, for all manner of reasons. Bill Turnball left Breakfast TV but still appears on other bbc shows - so what's the difference?

Also, you should get your facts right. Strictly did not Make Len - he was well known years before Strictly was even thought of, not just because of his expertise WORLDWIDE in the dance world, but also as a judge on Come Dancing, and doing other music shows. Nor is he going to America to live. He gave up doing DWTS - despite the money being huge compared to Strictly - such was his loyalty.

Sorry, duplicate post

The latest favourite to replace Len is Gary Edwards. He's equally as knowlegeable as Len, but considerably younger. But if people found Len strict, Gary could make him seem like a real push-over!

error

Is he another ballroom person? I presume he is because I've never heard of him.

If he knows his ballroom that would be great. We do need at least one ballroom expert, and it would be nice if he was a little bit intelligent and sophisticated too. Len wasn't.

Len is so much more and is more than qualified for the job - no luck involved at all - his ballroom and latin skill was not based in the 1950's as you state and he was involved in much more that ballroom and latin too - whilst I have not always agreed with his marking over the years had nothing but respect for his experience and qualifications

ha so true Kaycee - have known Gary since juniors (brother went to same trainer in the days gaz danced with Niki Cranshaw) when he told me about the possibility of being on SCD had to laugh - he is so much more a stickler for proper dancing

Gary was a dance champion himself when younger, based in Miami and uk he is a world renowned ballroom and latin judge - and has vast experience in salsa too. Having lived in Argentina (he also trains polo players) he has a smattering of AT as well. To disappoint you Gary considers himself to be a younger version of Len