Strictly Come Dancing stars who are sadly no longer with us

We've sadly lost a number of Strictly stars in recent years

Strictly Come Dancing stars we've loved and lost who are sadly no longer with us

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Strictly Come Dancing is now well into its 21st series with just three couples remaining in the glitzy dancing competition.

The popular BBC One programme burst onto our screens back in 2004, typically on Saturday evenings with a following Sunday night results show. Strictly sees celebrities pair up with professional dancers to compete in ballroom and Latin dance.

Each performance is then scored by a panel of four judges - Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood, and head judge Shirley Ballas. In its many years on air, there have been hundreds of celebrity contestants.

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Sadly some of these stars are no longer with us. Here we pay tribute to them and take a look back at their time on Strictly.

Caroline Flack

The Love Island presenter won the show in 2014 with her partner, Pasha Kovalev. During her time on Strictly, Caroline wowed the judges with her dances week on week.

The couple's showdance, an elegant performance to Angels by Robbie Williams, will long be remembered as one of the highlights from her time on the show. Interestingly, Caroline and Pasha became the first couple in Strictly history to ever achieve the perfect score of 120 points during a series final.

On winning, Caroline said: "This has been the best experience of my whole life, mostly because of Pasha, but also because of the other contestants. I'm so lucky to get to know this incredible bunch of people."

Caroline tragically died in February 2020. A coroner's inquest recorded a verdict of suicide. She was 40 years old.

Following her death, former Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli said: "She really was a joy. We will always love Caroline and we will never forget her." Her dance partner, Pasha, said: “When she was dancing, it was like no one else existed."

Paul Daniels

Magician Paul Daniels died at the age of 77 in 2016. He left behind his assistant and wife, Debbie McGee, who would later go on to become a finalist on Strictly a year after his death.

During his time on the series in 2010, Paul was partnered with Ola Jordan. However, their time together didn't last very long and they left the competition in week two. In the short time he was on the show, Paul's dances were consistently criticised.

Paul, however, did hit back after the judges comments and told The Daily Star that he believed that Len Goodman was the only reliable judge.

Criticising Craig Revel Horwood, in particular, Paul said: "He is just bitter and twisted. No-one listens to him any more. When I looked up at him after my dance, all I could see was this Spitting Image puppet and I just laughed."

Gary Rhodes

In 2008, restauranteur and chef Gary appeared on Strictly and was partnered with Karen Hardy. His time on the show was rife with controversy, according to The Daily Mail, as him and Karen reportedly didn't get along very well.

She said of Gary: "I have a lot of patience, but he drove me to the edge. You're up against the clock to get a dance ready for the following Saturday. The audience want a spectacular performance, and it was hard for Gary to deliver that in such a short time, with all his other commitments - he has a family and a string of restaurants to run."

The pair didn't last very long in the competition and were voted out after week three. On one occasion, judge Craig took aim at Gary's "stompy flat-footedness", which left the TV chef feeling annoyed. Gary told The Sunday People following the comments: "It's like jumping from the frying pan into the fire being in Strictly."

Gary died while away in Dubai at the age of 59 in 2019, following a head injury and subsequent subdural haematoma. Karen paid a moving tribute to him via social media soon afterwards, writing: "I am truly speechless and lost for words but my heart and thoughts go out to his beautiful family at this time."

Lynda Bellingham

Actress and TV presenter Lynda, who was best known for her roles in All Creatures Great and Small and Loose Women, died in 2014 after suffering from colorectal cancer. A few years before she died, in 2009, she appeared on Strictly and was partnered with Darren Bennett. The series was eventually won by sports presenter Chris Hollins and his professional partner Ola Jordan.

Lynda and Darren's time in the competition was short, though, and the pair left in week four. A book written in tribute to Lynda by her husband Michael Pattemore revealed that his wife and her dance partner didn't get along.

He wrote: "There were two things about Strictly she didn't like. One was her body image. She always thought she looked fat. I kept saying she didn't. And the other thing, she said her partner Darren Bennett was such a miserable git.

"There was no laughter, no fun. All the way through rehearsals she didn't mind training hard, but it was solid dance. He was just hard work. If Lynda had had a partner like Anton du Beke or someone, now they would have had some fun together."

Jason Wood

Comedian Jason Wood, who was a regular performer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, died in 2010 at the age of 38. Initial reports suggested he died in his sleep.

He appeared on first series of Strictly with dance partner, Kylie Jones in 2004. Unfortunately for Jason, he was first to be eliminated and therefore, the public never got to see if he'd improve his dancing.

BBC newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky would go on to win the first series with Brendan Cole.

Willie Thorne

Willie Thorne died in June 2020 at the age of 66. Thirteen years earlier, the snooker player appeared on Strictly with professional dancer Erin Boag but was voted off in week three of the competition. During his time on the show, he appeared alongside other celebs such as Gethin Jones, EastEnders star Matt Di Angelo and Alesha Dixon – who went on to win the show.

Following his death, dance partner Erin tweeted: "I have truly wonderful memories of the time I spent with him. I feel honoured to have danced with this great man."

Bill Turnbull

TV and radio presenter Bill Turnbull died earlier this year at the age of 66. Four years previously, he had been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.

Bill appeared on Strictly in its third series. He was partnered with Karen Hardy and took sixth place in the competition. The likes of Gloria Hunniford, Patsy Palmer and James Martin all appeared in the same series.

It was eventually won by England cricketer Darren Gough and professional dancer Lilia Kopylova.

During an emotional interview after Bill's death, Karen appeared on BBC Breakfast and broke down in tears. She said: "One of my last texts with him, he goes: 'Amazing how after 16 years people still ask me about Strictly. Some of the best fun I ever had. I'm always grateful to you for that."

Bruce Forsyth

Mr Strictly himself - host Bruce Forsyth - died in 2017 at the age of 89. Three years previously, he stepped down from co-hosting alongside Tess Daly and was replaced by Claudia Winkleman, the former host of spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two.

In a statement, Tess paid tribute to her friend. She said: "From the moment we met, Bruce and I did nothing but laugh our way through a decade of working together on Strictly Come Dancing and I will never forget his generosity, his brilliant sense of humour and his drive to entertain."

Following his death, the show itself paid tribute to the presenter with a special dance routine.

Len Goodman

Not too long ago the highest accolade a Strictly contestant could achieve was a "ten from Len". The much-loved former head judge died earlier this year, aged 78, following a bone cancer diagnosis.

Len had been staying in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, when he died on Saturday, April 22, 2023. At the time host Claudia said: "A kind and brilliant man. Full of twinkle, warmth and wit. Sending so much love to his family and friends. We love you Len xx", while fellow presenter Tess wrote: "So very sad to hear the news today of the passing of our Len Goodman.

"A beautiful man, genuine, warm and humble, who left an impression on everyone he met. I’ll never forget the fun we had on set, his love and passion for dancing and that wonderfully cheeky smile lit up the screen.

"You were never a 7 for me, Len you were always a 10. My sincere condolences to Sue and all the family. Rest in peace Len".

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