Derek Hough Emotionally Reflects On Late Len Goodman (EXCLUSIVE)

Derek Hough is mourning the loss of his late friend and "Dancing with the Stars" co-star Len Goodman. The dancer, who has known Len since his youth, told Access Daily's Mario Lopez and Kit Hoover about the "absolute honor" of working with the icon and reflected on their final "DWTS" season together. "I knew there was definitely a fragility there, and I really felt like I savored every moment I had with him this past season," he said. "All of us, we really cherished our experiences with him. We've absolutely lost an amazing man, a TV icon, but a dear friend, a dear friend to all of us. I think that it's a hard one, and unexpected, honestly, very unexpected." Derek also teased what fans can expect from his exciting Fall 2023 live tour, "Derek Hough: A Symphony of Dance." For dates and tickets to "A Symphony of Dance," visit Derek's website.

[@maryhilljensen3062]

An elegant, classic gentleman and a fabulous dancer! Derek is a special person and unbelievable dancer and choreographer. Both gentlemen are hugely talented.

[@joankgillette]

The entire DWTS community is mourning this loss. RIP Len 🤍 The real OG 🕺

[@dianeking44]

Len will be missed by everyone! Prayers to all of his friends and family! Rest in peace!

[@MoDavI-sl7iy]

I have never met Len, but I cried when I heard he passed away. R.i.p Mr. Goodman, you will be missed. My condolences to your family & friends 👏🏿❣️

[@artsabeach]

Awwww, RIP Len. 😢😢😢

[@pamelalamb30]

He was truly a classic Gentleman, who will be missed deeply by his peers and friends across the country, DWS won't be the same.. Dance away into heaven's stary light..

[@sall4090roughcuts]

the show will never be the same without Len -- he was such a class act -- he was beloved on the show -- people accepted his judgement and worked hard to improve - when Len gave you a 10 you earned it and made it --

[@ritarabaa8338]

Rest In Peace 😢🙏 you were an amazing man Mr Len Goodman That’s so beautiful what you did Derek you’re amazing ❤

[@marcella_2022]

I'm crying so much along with Derek. Len reminds me of my grandpa that passed away. So I know EXACTLY how Derek feels🥺🥺🥺

[@shannonmcmullen238]

What a wonderful man I believe he was. God Bless his family and friends He will be missed !!! ❤

[@marycrane3735]

I thought of Derek and Mark Ballas right away when I heard the news of Len's passing...... also Cheryl Burke. He was so loved.

[@brendastevens9077]

Awww Derek I am so sorry for your loss. I had posted on your page a message to Len. I'm hoping he saw it. It was on the advice video he gave you. Len and The Show is whole reason I started ballroom/ latin dancing 13yrs ago now. Danced in Competitions and shows. Kept going even after brain surgery. I hope he knew how much I Loved and Appreciated Him? All My Love To You and Your Family For Your Loss Of Len.😪💝💝

[@mariedomino2743]

M

[@cynthiadesmond4906]

Sad to hear about Len..I've been revisiting my favorite episode on DWTS ..the PasoDoble w/ Kelli Pickler..and Derek and Tristan McManus....loved the dance but the judges reaction priceless!!!!. RIP Len to an elegant..wonderful man🙏💙

[@larryfisher5796]

Glen we'll be deeply missed . Dancing with the Stars is one of my favorite shows .And I'm 79 YEARS young 👍

[@DIaneW702]

Such a funny classy man Also a great dancer He was so loved and always will be RIP Len ❤

[@judithmais4643]

Look what "Dancing" had brought Derek and his Sister! Young people never give up on your hopes and dreams! 💗🙏💗

[@Vic292]

RIP Len.. so sad that he passed right after he retired from the show.

[@monalisa2662]

Happy for your success Derek and Julianne... from Utah. Always remember your roots... you have flown away way too far.

[@myabriggs8967]

Love Derek!!!!

[@carolorr6835]

Just found out about Len Goodman wow what a lost to the Dancing With The Stars and To the world he was so fun to watch! Len you will be missed very much RIP You Gave a lot to your fellow Dancing with stars people and also the world!!

[@malindahartley-mcdermott4966]

Prayers to the Goodman Family and DWTS AND STRICTLY FAMILIES AS WELL

[@dianemchadeayne5486]

Derek grieve Len in your way but Len was a wonderful Humanitarian and great judge even if I didn’t always agree with him but he knew dancing and I believed he was just the greatest.

[@judibooty2091]

So shocking! Rest in Power Len Goodman🙏❤️🙏

[@addy8758]

RIP Len Goodman! ❤❤❤

[@bridgetcritchfield3369]

I really liked Len he will be missed. I wish they would bring it back to channel 4 so I can watch it I can’t afford to have streaming and I love the show please bring it back to 4.

[@judychandler8485]

He will sure be missed ..RIP Len Goodman..🙏🌹

[@sandraberube641]

Awww just say good luck to you Derek always love ❤️ to see U dancing 🕺 away, bless you also, RIP Len, 🥰💜🎶🎼🕺🎶🎼🙏🙏😇💜🥰🇨🇦🥰💜🌟💜👍👍

[@gwenosborne1589]

RIP Mr. Goodman🙏

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

HAPPY 38TH BIRTHDAY DEREK HOUGH !!!

[@missja3184]

R. I. P. Len Goodman🕊

[@barbaracranfield6703]

Great interview...Will miss Glen...Derek such a nice gentleman and dancer!

[@A-hurt-one]

Len.

[@davidshaffer4664]

Len was a class act

[@pana6572]

Love it Bro

[@antonmerano2980]

Rest In Peace Len goodman

[@mariamarquez7429]

I cried like a baby when I heard Len died!! I’m a ballroom dancer myself and it hurt so much

[@marlenesoltis4515]

Hoping the new show will be on regular TV channel… loved Len Goodman on DWTS. May he r.I.p. and dance with Angels 😇🙏❤️

[@paulastrong7571]

So sorry about Len! Didn't really get to enjoy himself after DWTS. Tyra was awful from the beginning! I'm so happy they let her go.

[@chuckbradshaw346]

RIP deeply missed

[@kaitlynreiss4664]

38?!?!!? he is slaying!! can't wait to see him before but RIP Len so sad as DWTS fan

[@judithmais4643]

Oh my gosh! I did not know he passed, my condolences to his family, coworkers and friends!

[@CanadaCindy]

RIP Len. Too bad DWTS isn’t on network TV anymore.

[@roselee1974]

RIP Len

[@darlenequinn193]

I haven't been able to watch the show since they went to Disney+.

[@clairetrinkle3034]

❤️❤️

[@nandawson393]

I just start waking. These are great! Does anyone know what brand products she uses???

[@peas4u]

The Butterfly is a dance that was done at every Ukrainian wedding I have ever attended. People in groups of three walk or hop with linked arms in a big circle as the music plays a waltz-like melody. Suddenly the music changes to a fast polka and the centre person in each group links arms the the other two alternating back and forth while swinging them around. Then the music switches back to the waltz, and so on. It is great fun for all ages. I remember ending up with bruises on our arms from where our Dad grabbed us as he swung us around, and how we would go flying when he let go. Probably my favourite dance.

[@azraprinceza]

❤

[@loishaldeman421]

Loved from Len, 10 , hard to achieve

[@terracelady]

I knew when he said it was his last season and he was going home that something was wrong with him 😢

[@Artur-Itas]

TWINKLE TOED TITAN!!!!!!!! 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😮😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@rickfoxx7958]

Derek Hough is always given special treatment

[@jodijohnson23]

GIVE US THE LOCATION OF YOUR WEDDING!😂😂😂 Could they push that anymore? Let them have a private wedding. Chill out. Julianne got married in Idaho where I live. And she got married across the street from where my cousin lived at the time and she actually went there and kinda chatted with someone. It was so funny. Haha

[@erinvaughn3739]

When is the wedding ? ♥️💞♥️

[@aleshatran]

I got his name for some reason mix-up I thought his name was Glen 😢

[@AvisWrentmore]

Yosemite is where the wedding is :) just guessing but they love it there based on their vids.

[@suki757]

I'm sorry, I thought this story was about Len?

[@shawnasomers9127]

If invited..I shall do the chicken dance!

[@ridinreiners]

RIP Len. I really liked him on the show. I stopped watching when Tyra Banks started hosting because she is so obnoxious. I may start watching again with Julianne, hOwever, there was no reason to fire Tom Burgeron and Erin Andrews - they’re weren’t the problem. The problem was bringing on reality stars that the audience did not know.

[@AquaFonic]

TYRA ISNT OBNOXIOUS your attitude is !!!

[@ridinreiners]

@@AquaFonic Wow.

[@A-hurt-one]

Tyra Banks is too big and too boring.

[@janethillearyy7653]

I watched the show for years and stopped when Tyra took over. She is very obnoxious!

[@HurricanePatrick]

I seriously thought he was gay, still surprised he hasn't come out by now

[@esdeathisbae9480]

He's engaged to Hayley Erbert very much not gay

[@timothybuckles6331]

@@esdeathisbae9480 Thank you. Most male ballroom dancers are straight. And if they aren't who cares. Its a sport. Appreciate your comment.

[@roter13]

@@esdeathisbae9480 There are tons of gay men who marry women. He was brought up Mormon so there's also that...

[@esdeathisbae9480]

@@roter13 I doubt Derek hough is gay the only DWTS male pro I know is gay is Louis van Amstel I could be wrong but we're in a day and age where coming out isn't as hard as it used to be id think Derek would be now if he was

[@masulliv55]

Love Derek….and len

[@el7jake]

Enough of the Houghs already! Why can't we hear from some of the other pros?

[@sallytrued3804]

😞

[@jessicagordy5343]

#Derek Have you ever thought about doing with thstars again 🤭🌹🫧✨🥇🌈 or More movies

[@joankgillette]

The entire DWTS community is mourning this loss. RIP Len 🤍 The real OG 🕺