'Strictly Come Dancing' Len Goodman to take break from show

Len Goodman will take a week off from Strictly Come Dancing halfway through the series.

The judge flies to LA every Sunday to appear on Dancing With The Stars, before returning to the UK on Thursdays to take his seat on the British panel.

He has done this for six years, but decided to request one weekend off from Strictly Come Dancing this year in order to rest.

"Len absolutely loves doing both shows and there was never any question about him leaving either of them," a source told the Daily Star Sunday. "But he really felt it last year. By the time it got to November he was absolutely shattered.

"It's a gruelling schedule for anyone to do year-on-year, so when he asked for a break they had to listen. Discussions went on for a while and in the end they agreed to give him one week's break off from Strictly.

"It means he'll be able to rest up in Los Angeles for a week and a half before having to fly back to London. The show's bosses know how important he is and were more than happy to let him have some time off to recharge his batteries."

The BBC said it is yet to decide who will fill in for Goodman on Strictly Come Dancing, although it is expected that a former professional such as Karen Hardy, Camilla Dallerup or Matthew Cutler will stand in.

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