How can you possibly fill Len’s shoes? Dance pros Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite on the impossible task of replacing Len Goodman

IT’S the biggest decision Strictly bosses have ever faced – who will lift the glittery paddle of power following head judge Len Goodman’s retirement?

The pressure is on to find exactly the right replacement.

Dance pros Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite shared their thoughts on the runners and riders.

Strictly star Ian Waite says none of the names tipped to join as a new judge will ever match up to Len Goodman.

However, if they are to have any chance he insists they have to be a Brit.

And Aussie dancer Natalie Lowe fears the loss of Len could change a show that is loved by millions.

Veteran Len, 72, quit at the end of last year having been on the panel since it began in May 2004.

Even before he hung up his scoring paddle, speculation was rife on who would take over.

That has ramped up recently with current pros Anton Du Beke and Brendan Cole and previous winner Karen Hardy hotly tipped.

Show choreographer Jason Gilkison, Australian Dancing With The Stars judge Helen Richey and British-born Gary Edwards, known from the American version, are also said to be strongly in the running.

Who will join Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell is seen as the most vital decision ever for show bosses, as planning begins on the 15th series.

“Len was such a major part of Strictly that I don’t think anyone who comes in will be as good,” Ian, 46, told The Sunday Post.

“To come even near to matching him, they’ll have to be a very big character.

“There are more than 50 Strictlys across the world and there are lots of pros who have gone on to be judges, so that’s a natural progression.

“The public love Anton and Brendan so I think that might be the perfect scenario.

“Jason has been a judge on So You Think You Can Dance? in America so he has that experience as well as being a choreographer. Whether he has the personality, I don’t know.

“I think they might go for a lady, though, so there’s not a direct comparison.

“I used to go to Helen for lessons for many years in Guildford before she moved to back Australia.

“She has great knowledge but, like Jason, I’m just not sure the public would want another Australian with Craig already there. I think we should have somebody British.”

However, Ian doesn’t see that as being Essex boy Gary.

“I don’t know why he’d be a favourite other than for having a PR company behind him.

“I don’t think he’s in the running.

“Whoever gets it will need a huge knowledge of ballroom dance, be able to critique the couples and obviously be entertaining, too.”

Ian, who has been a stalwart of weekday hit It Takes Two for five years after leaving the main show, is on tour with Natalie Lowe in Scotland this week.

Somewhere In Time: An Audience With is a two-hour show full of stunning dances and audience interaction, which comes to Glenrothes’s Rothes Hall on Wednesday, Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Friday.

The show will also head to Edinburgh’s Usher Halls on Saturday.

“How can you possibly fill Len’s shoes?” says Natalie, 36.

“He was unique and replacing him will be very difficult.

“It’ll be so tough. Len was the reason I came to the UK and the reason I loved Strictly so much.

“I was lucky enough to do his last dance on the show with Anton to say goodbye to him and I couldn’t stop crying during the performance.

“He kept it classy and didn’t like too much faffing about or things that were too out of the boundaries of ballroom dancing. I just hope it stays traditional and not too commercial.

“Karen would be a great signing but whoever is chosen simply has to be the best. I don’t think it matters where you’re from as long as they’re amazing at the job.”

Natalie will be bringing fiancé James Knibbs north of the border with her and aims to take some time to show him the sights of her favourite city, Edinburgh.

“If I had the choice of anywhere in the world to live, I’d pick Edinburgh,” she adds.

Ticket info www.audiencewith.co.uk