Strictly Come Dancing 2014: BBC apologises after Len Goodman mutters f-word

The Strictly head judge appeared to mutter the f-word after expressing delight at Simon Webbe's performance

Len Goodman appeared to mutter the F-word after Simon Webbe's Strictly performance (BBC)

The BBC has apologised after Strictly Come Dancing head judge Len Goodman swore live on air during last night's show.

Goodman appeared to mutter the f-word after expressing his delight at a performance by Blue singer Simon Webbe and his partner Kristina Rihanoff.

“Winner, winner, chicken dinner, finger-licking good,” the head judge told the dancing pair after their performance inside Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom.

“I tell you, Simon, I think it’s his place actually Tess. It’s something about the atmosphere, the audience are behind everyone…the home of dance,” he said, before appearing to mutter “f*ck” under his breath in disbelief.

Presenter Zoe Ball was later forced to tell viewers: “I would like to apologise. Len got a little bit carried away with the excitement of the dance and I'm very sorry for the bad language.”

Webbe, who raised his eyebrows when he heard the apology, received the joint highest judges' scores inside Blackpool's Tower Ballroom.

He scored 38 points out of a possible 40 for an Argentine Tango, which was only matched by pop star Pixie Lott with her partner Trent Whiddon.

Judge Darcey Bussell, who gave Webbe a 10, told him: “The man is meant to be in charge of this dance and you certainly were. You were passionate and intense.”

Fellow judge Bruno Tonioli described him as “the dark lord of Buenos Aires”, adding: “That climax at the end really was spectacular.”

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Zoe Ball stepped in for Claudia Winkleman for the third week running last night after the presenter’s daughter was rushed to hospital following her Halloween costume setting alight.

Read more: Strictly Christmas special line-up revealed
Claudia Winkleman to miss third week presenting