Len Goodman looks tearful as he leaves the Strictly Come Dancing studio for final time

He bid an emotional farewell to his position as head choose on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend after 12 years on the present.

And it appeared that feelings continued to run excessive when Len Goodman left the studio for a closing time on Saturday evening.

The 72-year-old clutched onto a handkerchief as he left the present's wrap occasion along with his spouse Sue Barrett, after celebrating a shock win by sports activities presenter Ore Oduba. 

Scroll down for video 

Feelings operating excessive: Len Goodman clutched onto a handkerchief as he left the present's wrap occasion along with his spouse Sue Barrett on Saturday evening

Len definitely didn't exit with no bang, with the ultimate collection being instantly suffering from repair claims, as soon as once more.

Although Ore topped the chief board with three stellar performances, viewers requested why the best scorer of the whole competitors, Danny Mac, had not walked away with the glitterball trophy.

Subsequently, repair claims have been bolstered by information that the BBC refused to publish this 12 months's voting statistics. 

The tip of an period: Len - who has been on the collection because it began in 2004 - welled up with tears on the present

Fancy footwork: Ore Oduba and his skilled companion Joanne Clifton have been sensationally introduced because the winners of Strictly Come Dancing throughout Saturday evening's emotional closing

Strictly beautiful: The routine earned a standing ovation from the viewers on the evening 

However, Len's huge evening was celebrated in type when the professionals, finalists, judges and eradicated dancers gathered for a grand ship off.  

Ballroom skilled Len, who has served as head choose because the present's inception in 2004, appeared visibly glass eyed as he held onto a white hanky, leaving the bash in his dapper black tuxedo. 

It was the final occasion of the collection resulting from his impending retirement and Len had definitely scrubbed up in a suave tuxedo jacket, with a silk extensive peaked lapel.

The BBC favorite teamed his formal swimsuit with a crisp white costume shirt that he had unbuttoned to provide a carefree really feel as he positioned a pink pocket sq. into his jacket pocket. 

Let's dance! Len's spouse Sue adopted him out of the occasion to the post-show festivites

Ensuring to step out in type for his final hurrah, he labored an oxford patent leather-based costume shoe as his long-term love adopted behind in an attention-grabbing pink knee-length coat. 

The choose definitely departed the beloved BBC collection on a excessive, as Saturday's closing was watched by a peak of 13.1 million folks - the best viewer ranking of the present this 12 months.

The determine makes the 2016 collection probably the most profitable Strictly ever, with a median of 11.three million tuning in each weekend because it kicked off in September.

It is the L-end: The BBC favorite teamed his formal swimsuit with a crisp white costume shirt that he had unbuttoned to provide a carefree really feel as he positioned a pink pocket sq. into his jacket pocket

Earlier within the evening, Len had taken to the after occasion's stage to thank all this 12 months's contestants in addition to the long-running's collection crew. 

Showing on Laura Whitmore's Snapchat, Len appeared snug on stage as he first fought off their pleas to signal one other contract to stick with the present.

Nonetheless, he did insist that he shall be returning, whether or not that is as a loyal fan or to provide one other excerpt from Len's Lens. 

The after occasion then bought into full swing - with all of the judges and contestants letting their hair right down to have fun such a fun-filled collection. 

Please do not go! Showing on Laura Whitmore's Snapchat, Len appeared snug on stage as he first fought off their pleas to signal one other contract to stick with the present

Hooray! Finalists Louise Redknapp (L) and Ore Oduba (R) have been seen in good spirits within the video after Len insist that he shall be returning in some type

Social gathering time: The bash quickly bought into full swing - with Laura Whitmore documenting a photograph sales space session with Ore and professional Brendan Cole on her Instagram

Choose Darcey Bussell was reportedly seen going spherical along with her selfie follow take photographs with the clan, whereas contestants together with Laura and winner Ore fooled round within the bash's picture sales space with professional Brendan Cole.

Laura posted additional snaps of her cuddling as much as her now firm-friends Louise Redknapp and Claudia Fragapane, whereas the likes of Daisy Lowe added to the fray with a candy selfie of her, the gymnast and Olympian Greg Rutherford. 

It was a tearful evening on Saturday's closing, as all eyes have been on head choose Len, who was making his final ever look on a closing of the BBC dancing present after greater than a decade. 

Buddies for all times: Laura posted additional snaps of her cuddling as much as her now firm-friends Louise Redknapp and Claudia Fragapane (above)

Having a ball: Whereas the likes of Daisy Lowe added to the fray with a candy selfie of her, the gymnast and Olympian Greg Rutherford (L)

Step to it: Ensuring to step out in type for his final hurrah, he labored an oxford patent leather-based costume shoe as his long-term love adopted behind in an attention-grabbing pink knee-length coat

Tearful: It was a tearful evening on Saturday's closing, as all eyes have been on head choose Len, who was making his final ever look on a closing of the BBC dancing present

Though he'll make one final cameo on the festive version of the present on Christmas Day subsequent weekend, the beloved dance grasp is giving up his place on the notorious panel leaving a seat to fill subsequent to Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell. 

And the producers of the present weren't about to see Len depart with no final ballroom shock.

Earlier than the winner of the collection was introduced - it turned out to be Ore - Len was stunned with a montage that includes an array of stars paying tribute to the departing choose.

Caroline Flack, who received the present two years in the past - known as him 'an ideal gentleman' as former contestant Denise Van Outen branded him 'intelligent, enjoyable, variety'. 

The tip: Though he'll make one final cameo on the festive version of the present on Christmas Day subsequent weekend, it was his final present with the three judges

Fellow choose Bruno known as Len 'no nonsense' including 'that is what I like about him' whereas common professional Anton Du Beke mentioned: 'He brings pleasure to folks and that is why folks love Len.' 

The studio viewers rose to their ft after the montage to provide Len a standing ovation, and his fellow judges joined in.

Presenter Claudia Winkleman mentioned to him: 'Len thanks a lot, we're going to miss you terribly.'

Len - who appeared emotional himself - mentioned that he'll miss 'every little thing in regards to the present'.

Emotional: Len - who appeared emotional himself - mentioned that he'll miss 'every little thing in regards to the present'

He went on: 'Simply turning up and the anticipation of what is going on to occur. I'll miss the three finest judges on tv, and also you two (Claudia and co-host Tess Daly).

'The entire thing is sort of a huge machine with cogs and each cog has to work, that is what makes Strictly into Strictly. I'll miss all of it.'

Tess then turned to the choose and mentioned: 'That is only for you - a traditional ballroom routine from our skilled dancers.'

At this level, a closing routine devoted to the long-running choose was carried out.

'I'll miss the three finest judges on tv': Len admitted: 'Simply turning up and the anticipation of what is going on to occur. I'll miss the three finest judges on tv, and also you two'

Goodman, a former skilled dancer and coach, has been a choose in each collection because the present began in 2004.

He earns £120,000 a 12 months for his position and an extra £1.1million a 12 months for the US model, Dancing With The Stars.

Goodman additionally earns cash from his dance faculty in Dartford, Kent, his books, DVDs and different media work. He's additionally collaborating within the 2017 Strictly tour, which is able to usher in an extra £40,000.

It's but to be revealed who will take over his spot on the much-loved collection, with a lot of names primed for his place. 

Unconfirmed: It's but to be revealed who will take over his spot on the much-loved collection, with a lot of names primed for his place

Thus far it has been speculated that stalwart dancers on the present Karen Hardy and Anton du Beke may very well be within the operating - alongside Helen Richey, 71, who judges on the Australian model of the present.

Nonetheless Len appeared on Strictly spin off It Takes Two earlier this week to specific his needs for a choose who's an skilled within the dances carried out on the present.

He admitted to host Zoe Ball: 'My take is whoever they decide is nice with me however I do hope they decide someone from the world of ballroom and Latin.

Explaining that the panel already has variation from different worlds of dance from his fellow judges, he continued: 'We have Darcey from ballet, Craig from musical theatre and directing and Bruno from pop movies and choreographing. So I believe you want somebody who says, ''Oh you probably did a heel there''.'

Coy: Nonetheless Len appeared on Strictly spin off It Takes Two earlier this week to specific his needs for a choose who's an skilled within the dances carried out on the present

Tweet