On Saturday’s dazzling Strictly Come Dancing finale Joe McFadden scooped up the Glitterball trophy with Katya Jones.
And former head judge Len Goodman , 73, has offered his own opinion on the final, as he appeared on This Morning on Monday.
The 73-year-old ballroom dance guru admitted that while Joe, 42, had ‘a great journey’ he had only reigned victorious because of his ‘popularity.’
Having his say: Former head judge Len Goodman , 73, offered his own opinion on the Strictly Come Dancing final, as he appeared on This Morning on Monday
Victorious: On Saturday’s dazzling Strictly Come Dancing finale Joe McFadden, 42, scooped up the Glitterball trophy with Katya Jones
When asked about Strictly’s finale, Len revealed: ‘I thought the final was great, I enjoyed it very much, there’s a balance, probably Alex was the best dancer… Joe, what a journey he had, he got through because of his popularity, and that’s lovely.
‘The judges give their input, the viewers have theirs, it’s marvellous,’ the star – who was on the show to promote his album of Christmas classics – added.
Len is currently acting as judge on the American equivalent of the dance reality show, after hanging up his Strictly Come Dancing shoes last year.
And the TV star also spoke of Shirley taking over his role, admitting she did a ‘wonderful job.’
Opinion: The ballroom dance guru admitted that while Joe, 42, had ‘a great journey’ he had only reigned victorious because of his ‘popularity’
‘Alex was the best dancer’: Len offered his expert analysis on the show as he continued: ‘Joe, what a journey he had, he got through because of his popularity, and that’s lovely’
Len continued: ‘The judges give their input, the viewers have theirs, it’s marvellous’
Len went on to offer more insight into the real reason why he left UK’s Strictly to carry on Dancing with The Stars in America.
‘People got very, very anal about this, saying “the traitor”. It was all to do with my contract, it’s an annual thing. The BBC only do one year – they can hire you or fire you.
‘In the US they sign you up for four years. I thought do I want to fly every week back to Britain from LA? I could not physically do it.
‘It’s an 11 hour flight, eight hour time difference. You’re there two days and then you’re back,’ he detailed the situation at hand.
Suited and booted: Len – who was on the show to promote his album of Christmas classics – looked dapper in a blazer, red tie, checked trousers and red socks
‘It was all to do with my contract’: Len went on to offer more insight into the real reason why he left UK’s Strictly to carry on Dancing with The Stars in America
Taking over: Shirley Ballas was appointed as his replacement on Strictly Come Dancing in July
Enjoyment: Len went on to have fun in the cooking segment with Gino D’Acampo
After Shirley was appointed as his replacement on Strictly Come Dancing in July, Len was quick to praise the former dance champion as a perfect fit for the show.
Appearing on This Morning again shortly after, he said: ‘I’ve known Shirley for years and years – she’s as good as gold. She knows her onions as far as ballroom and Latin is concerned.
‘She knows what she’s talking about which is wonderful. She’s a lovely girl, she comes from up north. She’s a smasher.
‘Whoever the BBC picked I would’ve been happy with. They say no-one heard of her but no-one had heard of me, no-one heard of Anton, no-one heard of Bruno.’
Group shot: Len and Gino posed with Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes