LAST DANCE
How Len Goodman was 68 when he married ‘wonderful’ wife Sue Barrett in secret ceremony with only one Strictly star there
THE late Len Goodman married his "wonderful" wife Sue Barrett in a secret ceremony aged 68.
The pair wed in front of about 30 friends and family in central London - but only one Strictly Come Dancing star was invited.
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Dancer Anton du Beke joined the celebration at Mosimann’s private dining club on December 30, 2012.
Len told the Daily Mail at the time: "I’ve had a marvellous day, and now my gorgeous Sue is the new Mrs Goodman.
"Did I pickle my walnuts? Of course I did! I wanted it to be a low-key affair, so we didn’t tell anyone except my 96-year-old mum as I didn’t want her having a heart attack with the surprise."
He added: "Anton was the only one who was vaguely celebrity. I didn’t want it to be a big celebrity do."
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Len said he proposed "on a whim" to dance teacher Sue, whom he met at a golf club, and they tied the knot at a surprise get-together after the following Christmas.
Asked if he got down on one knee to pop the question, he said: ";At my age, no way.
"I made her go four stairs above me on the staircase so at least she was taller than me, does that count?
"She's gorgeous and makes me very happy — though she likes to stay out of the limelight."
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The knees-up was a stripped back affair with just a handful of guests, a little jazz music and "a bite to eat".
Oddly, there no dancing as Len apparently couldn't face having to boogie with anyone else's wives.
A decade later, the Strictly judge died aged 78 following a battle with bone cancer.
He spent the final 10 years of his life married to Sue, whom he described as "wonderful".
The TV star told in 2013: "I knew I’d found the woman I wanted to be with for the rest of my life so why not get married?
"I’ve said before I’m selfish and that doesn’t equate well for marriage, but my wonderful Sue got that out of me.
"I’ve become totally unselfish and I think that’s because it’s true love."
Len later joked his partner thought he was great in bed - because he went straight to sleep.
"I don't snore. I don't take the duvet. I just lay there and go straight off to sleep," he said.
"That's all you want out of a bloke."
I knew I’d found the woman I wanted to be with for the rest of my life so why not get married?
Len Goodman
He also revealed he treated Sue to "naked cha-chas" in the bedroom, often giving her an early-morning strip tease as "a treat".
"It certainly wakes her up," he added.
Len, who was previously married to dancer Cherry Kingston, said the 20-year age gap with Sue wasn't a problem.
He said: "It doesn't matter. I got married when I was 28 and I've just got married for the second time at 68.
"So we'll probably be talking when I'm 108 about the third."
Len became a judge on Strictly in 2004 and his final appearance was on the 2016 Christmas Day special.
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He began dancing at 19, winning various competitions including the British Championships in Blackpool in his late 20s, after which he retired.
He was replaced as head judge on the BBC show by Shirley Ballas.
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