Len’s family with son James, leader of Dartford council, Jeremy Kite, and Mayor Avtar Sandhu. Picture: Dartford Borough Council<\/p>\n
His family, who worked closely with artist Adrian Riley to create a piece that captures<\/a> the star\u2019s well-loved character, attended the event alongside friend and fellow Strictly judge<\/a> Craig Revel Horwood.<\/p>\n Len\u2019s wife, Sue, and son, James, said: \u201cWe are delighted to see this tribute to Len unveiled and to know that his connection with Dartford will be celebrated for years to come.<\/p>\n \u201cAdrian has created something truly special that captures Len\u2019s personality, humour and love of dance.<\/p>\n \u201cFor more than 50 years, our family\u2019s dance school has welcomed people through its doors, helping generations discover the joy of dancing. To have this wonderful tribute just outside the studio makes it all the more meaningful.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know Len would have been deeply touched by the affection and thought that have gone into it, and immensely proud to be remembered in this way.\u201d<\/p>\n Honouring his career as a professional dancer, the artwork in Market Street has been designed to encourage visitors to get moving, featuring dance steps inscribed into the pavement.<\/p>\n Some of Len\u2019s iconic lines have also been referenced in the memorial, including \u201cpickle my walnuts\u201d, \u201cit\u2019s all sizzle and no sausage\u201d and \u201cseven!\u201d, paying tribute to the star\u2019s unique and beloved wit.<\/p>\n Speaking at the unveiling, Adrian said: \u201cIt has been a real delight to see this artwork take its place in the town and to watch people interact with it today at the unveiling.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the beginning, I wanted to create something that would encourage people to stop, smile and perhaps even try a few dance steps of their own.<\/p>\n \u201cThat felt like a fitting way to honour Len, who was someone who brought such joy, energy and connection to so many people through dance.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope it inspires visitors for years to come and keeps his spirit alive in the heart of Dartford.\u201d<\/p>\n Leader of Dartford council, Jeremy Kite, added: \u201cIt is wonderful to see this tribute to Len Goodman unveiled here in the heart of Dartford.<\/p>\n \u201cLen often described himself as \u2018a dance teacher from Dartford who got lucky\u2019, but to us he was so much more than that. He brought joy to millions, inspired generations of dancers, and never forgot the town he called home.<\/p>\n \u201cLen is greatly missed, and it has been a privilege to work with Adrian and Len\u2019s family to bring this project to life.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope this tribute serves as a fitting celebration of his remarkable legacy \u2013 a lasting reminder of a much-loved local man whose warmth, talent and enthusiasm helped get the whole nation dancing.\u201d<\/p>\n Eija Burrell, curator of the Ten from Len exhibition at the Sir Peter Blake Gallery in Market Street, is encouraging people to have have a look.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cWe chose the pictures with the family.<\/p>\n \u201cLots of them were quite small black and white photographs so it was lovely to go through those.\u201d<\/p>\n After a successful professional dancing career and decades of teaching dance in Dartford, Len gained worldwide fame as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing and on Dancing with the Stars in the US.<\/p>\n He announced his retirement from TV just six months before his death in April 2023<\/a>.<\/p>\n The showbiz star died of bone cancer at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, just days before his 79th birthday.<\/p>\n He is not the only famous son of Dartford to be paid tribute to via artwork displayed in the town.<\/p>\nCraig Revel Horwood attended the event. Picture: Dartford Borough Council<\/p>\n
It is to encourage people to dance. Picture: Dartford Borough Council<\/p>\n
Mayor Avtar Sandhu and Craig Revel Horwood keep dancing! Picture: Dartford Borough Council<\/p>\n
The interactive artwork to Len Goodman has been unveiled. Picture: Dartford Borough Council<\/p>\n