Strictly judgeÂ’s film debut

Len Goodman will play a teacher at a dance club inÂ…

09:54 24 August 2009

Strictly Come DancingÂ’s head judge Len Goodman is to make his movie debut alongside Born Free actress Virginia McKenna.

The 65-year-old will star alongside ‘Born Free’ actress, Virginia McKenna, in the British independent film ‘Love/Loss’ in which he will play a teacher at a village dance club.

Bafta-winning actress McKenna, 78, said she was excited to be working with the BBC talent show star, stating: "I used to be glued to Strictly. I'll stumble around. I used to dance a lot, so I can pick up a gentle waltz."

The plot of the film involves of two childhood sweethearts, played by McKenna and Keith Michell, who meet by chance 60 years after their first romance.

However, Goodman wonÂ’t be trading his dance cards in for the big screen just yet. He will return as a judge on the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing next month.

In July it was announced that veteran judge Arlene Phillips, 66, would be moved from the panel in favour of former winner and pop star Alesha Dixon, 30, resulting in calls of ageism against the show.

In regard to the departure at the time, BBC One controller Jay Hunt said there had been a desire to "change the flavour of the panel".

In related news, it has revealed that former world boxing champion Joe Calzaghe is to join the show as a contestant, according to his father.