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Bruno Tonioli delights with rare photograph with Len Goodman - but fans can't believe one Strictly detail

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Fiona Ward
Acting Fashion and Beauty Editor
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Strictly Come Dancing's Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman once sat next to each other for many years on the BBC's much-loved dance show, and fans have often been vocal about their remaining sadness at Len's absence as head judge – so Bruno brightened plenty of viewers' days on Tuesday, when he posted an adorable photo with his former co-star. The sweet shot shows the pair posing with fellow Dancing With The Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba – and though fans were thrilled to see Len smiling at the camera, many were shocked to learn he still appears on the US show, despite retiring from the UK version.

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Len with his former Strictly Come Dancing co-judges

"Why didn’t Strictly get to keep Len?!!! I miss him," one follower commented, while another added: "I’m still mad at Len for leaving SCD." Many thought the judge had returned to the BBC show, with one writing, "OMG he's back."

MORE: Bruno Tonioli reveals why he has never watched Strictly in his 14 years as a judge

Though Len decided to hang up his Strictly judging paddle back in 2016, he still appears as head judge on the stateside version of the ballroom and Latin show – though there have also been recent suggestions that he may be set to leave his TV roles behind completely. He told the Daily Mail in April: "This may be my last season. It's the end of my contract and they may not want to have me any more. They might have had enough of me. I don't want to retire totally but I'm quite happy doing nothing - reading a book and pottering in the garden."

MORE: Has Stacey Dooley broken her arm? Strictly star shares photo from hospital

While Len's reasons for quitting the UK show included enjoying more "me-time" in his later years, the judge admitted he had remained on Dancing With The Stars due to contractual commitments. Earlier in October, he delighted fans by making a familiar Strictly scoring comeback on Instagram, however, sending friend Anton Du Beke a video message to celebrate his recent book release. He said: "Anton, wow, I have just heard your book One Enchanted Evening has reached number seven, I will say it again, number seven, on the Bestsellers list. Well, congratulations."