Emotional Tribute: Cheryl Burke's Heartfelt Salute to 'DWTS' Cast & Loving Tribute to Len Goodman

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In the wake of not being invited to take part in the official Dancing With the Stars memorial performance, Cheryl Burke expressed her personal homage to the late Len Goodman.

"Len Goodman, one of those special individuals who never truly leave us even after they're gone," Burke shared on Instagram on Tuesday, October 24, along with a heartfelt video.

In the video, Burke addressed the camera directly, taking a moment to reflect on her deep connection with Goodman, who passed away in April at the age of 78. "Although I won't be joining the dancers in the ballroom tonight, I still want to express just how much Len Goodman meant to me and the significant role he played in my competitive career, even before Dancing With the Stars," she expressed. "Words can hardly capture the immense impact he had on my life, but it's worth a try."

Burke remembered that while she was competing in Europe as a teenager long before DWTS began in 2005, Goodman was among the numerous judges she performed for. She mentioned that even to this day, she is frequently asked about her favorite judge, and without hesitation, she consistently names Len Goodman.

She commended Goodman for being the representative of ballroom dancing and always staying true to his beliefs, emphasizing his significant contribution to the immense popularity of Dancing With the Stars. Burke recalled his straightforward and no-nonsense approach to judging on the ABC ballroom dance competition, describing it as tough love. She expressed her admiration and respect for his expertise, stating that she always looked up to him.

"Your profound appreciation for the art and sport of ballroom dance not only inspired me, but also touched the hearts of millions. You were a true advocate for strictly ballroom dance," she expressed with deep emotion.

As she spoke to Goodman's family, Burke's eyes welled up with tears as she shared her unwavering determination to make Goodman proud during her time on DWTS. She expressed her gratitude to her departed colleague for transforming her life and bringing immeasurable joy to the countless viewers of DWTS throughout the years.

After concluding her tribute, Burke extended her gratitude to the DWTS cast members who would be performing in the tribute to Len on Tuesday's episode. She specifically mentioned Maks Chmerkovskiy, Kym Johnson-Herjavec, Tony Dovolani, Mark Ballas, and others. Expressing her well wishes, she stated, "I know that Len would give your performance an 11 if he could."

Earlier this month, Burke caused some surprise when she revealed that she had not been invited to participate in Len Goodman's tribute on DWTS. However, she assured her absence would not dampen her support for her former colleagues and expressed her excitement to cheer them on. Sending her love and light, she concluded with the hashtag #riplen.

During the October 17 episode of DWTS, cohosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced plans for a memorial routine to honor Goodman. Prior to the premiere of season 32 in September, it was disclosed that the show had renamed its ultimate prize, the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, as a means to preserve the memory of the late star.

When DWTS first aired in 2005, Goodman was one of the original judges, alongside Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. In November 2022, he announced his retirement, and former pro Derek Hough has since joined the judging panel.