Strictly Come Dancing: Len Goodman reveals who he wants to replace him as head judge

'It would be nice if Anton or Karen Hardy took over'

Head judge Len Goodman has offered his opinion on who should act as his replacement on Strictly Come Dancing following his departure.

Speaking to the Kent and Sussex Courier, the 72-year-old said either Anton Du Beke, one of the show's professional dancers, or Karen Hardy would be good on the show.

"It would be nice if Anton or Karen Hardy took over – someone from the world of ballroom rather than stage or theatre dancing," he told the paper.

He added that the upcoming series, his last, will act as his ‘swan-song’, saying: "One more Strictly and then I will see what happens.

"At the end of the day I have been doing it for 12 years and I wanted to get out before people started saying, 'Get that old boy off’."

Du Beke is currently the bookies favourite to replace Goodman, with other contenders including Brendan Cole and former judge Alesha Dixon.

Alongside Goodman on the upcoming series will be judges Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli, and Craig Revel Horwood, while Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be returning to present the dancing competition.

Strictly Come Dancing will return for its 14th series this autumn on BBC One.