DWTS' Carrie Ann Inaba's Heart 'Shattered' Over 'Treasured Friend' Len Goodman's Passing

"DWTS" judge Carrie Ann Inaba is dealing with a heavy heart from the death of her good friend, and co-judge, Len Goodman.

Over the years, Inaba and the late Goodman appeared as judges for the ABC reality show. The pair bonded and maintained a friendship bond outside the display.

Sadly, Goodman left the world on April 24, leaving many brokenhearted. 

The 55-year-old choreographer, stricken with grief from the death of her beloved friend, took to Instagram to pay tribute to him. She uploaded an emotional clip with memories she shared with the late dancer. 

The clip began with a picture of the two pro dancers smiling as they waltzed. The video included a video of both judges playfully dancing, a snap of them holding placards with "ten" written on them, and footage of them laughing.

In the post's caption, the reality star penned a moving tribute for the late dancer. She began describing who Goodman was. According to Inaba, he was "A Dancer. A teacher. A refined gentleman. A wonderful storyteller. A special soul. A mentor. A family man. And… A treasured friend."

She continued expressing her grief, "Saying goodbye at the end of last season broke my heart. But today's news has shattered it all over again. I can't believe that you're gone."

'Until we meet again…✨Rest In Peace, Len,' Inaba concluded. Inaba, also a co-host for "The Talk," continued expressing her grief on her Instagram stories. In one story update, the sad news shocked the pro dancer. 

She wrote, "Just after 2:15 am, I received the news that our Len Goodman has passed. I am deeply saddened and in shock. Like many of you, I'm brokenhearted.💔"

However, Inaba pointed out that the deceased judge wouldn't want fans to grieve for long. "He wouldn't want us to be sad," she stated. "So, with tears in my eyes, I humbly request this." 

In her following stories update, the reality star detailed the request: "Think of your favorite Len-ism and remember him fondly. And then turn on your favorite tune, grab the person next to you and dance. I think he'd like that."

Inaba carried on by sharing her favorite Len-ism. "And it's a ten from Len." She then declared, "And Len, you were a ten." Inaba wasn't the only devastated "DWTS" co-judge dealing with the sad news. Derek Hough reminisced on the memories with Goodman over the years. 

Alongside the footage, Hough penned a tear-jerking message. The message partly read, "It's a gloomy morning here in Los Angeles, which seems fitting after this heartbreaking news. But when I think back at the memories we shared with Len, his sense of humor, his smile, and his charm, everything feels much brighter and full of sunshine."

The English professional dance judge, aged 78, passed away on Saturday, April 22, after battling with terminal bone cancer disease. The dance icon was reportedly hospitalized in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, following a brief illness six months into retirement.

A spokesperson for the former "Come Dancing" judge confirmed the news of the reality personality's death via a statement that read, "I can confirm he died peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family," adding that he was "a much-loved husband, father, and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends, and all who knew him."

Months before his death, Goodman announced his exit from "Dancing With The Stars" to spend more time with his family. While speaking with Daily Mail about his retirement from reality TV, the ballroom dancer seemingly predicted that he would pass away in 2023 at 79, just like his late father.

The late dancer previously said, "My dad had the right idea. He loved gardening, and he had a stroke while he was out in the garden. He was 79, so if I go the way of my dad, that'll be next year."

Further in the interview, Goodman suggested that his interviewer briefly draft his obituary. He said, "Just write he was a dance teacher from Dartford who got lucky because that's just about the truth of it."

Due to this possible prediction, some fans wondered whether he already knew his fate due to his health issues. However, the TV personality was evident in his stance. He stated at the time,

"I don’t make a fuss about stuff like that. It’s like when you have a car—you keep it serviced, but even so, you’ll have some trouble with your carburetor and you’ll need to get it fixed, and eventually the whole thing will conk out, and there you go. It’s more about the journey, and mine has been lovely."