Strictly's Arlene Phillips says heart is 'truly broken' by Len Goodman's death

msn.com:

Strictly Come Dancing together - and Arlene has admitted her world fell apart after the devastating news that he'd died on Saturday aged 78.

The star, who previously said she'd turned down an opportunity to be contracted to the show no fewer than three times before Len stepped in and changed her mind, said they were the "perfect pairing".

In an emotional tribute sent out to almost 100,000 Twitter followers, she wrote: "My heart is truly broken hearing the news today about @GrumpyLGoodman. "Almost 20 years ago we were both invited to the making of the original pilot of @bbcstrictly.

We made a pact that afternoon we would agree to do the show only if we could both do it "She continued: "On screen and off screen we worked together, me forever excitable and Len being cool and casual.