Strictly's Len Goodman pays tribute to Peterborough dancing legend - '˜ I expect he's in the great ballroom in the sky teaching people to dance'

The Strictly judge said he learned so much about teaching from Dereck Brown that he took those principles with him for the rest of his life.

Len said: “I’ve known Dereck Brown most of my dancing life. I first went to his dance school as a young professional to give a dance demonstration and was so impressed with his professionalism that I asked if I could visit his school to see how he ran his classes.

“I stayed with him and his wife Edna for three days and learned so much about how to teach that I put his principals into my teaching for the rest of my dancing life.

“Dereck was one of the kindest and warmest people I have ever met. He was a true gentleman. His studio in Peterborough was the envy of the dancing world. I expect he’s in the great ballroom in the sky teaching people to dance, as only he could.”

Dereck was renowned across Peterborough for the running of Brown’s Dancentre, in Lincoln Road, Millfield, where he taught countless students alongside wife Edna.

His passing on Sunday (July 24) has brought an outpouring of emotion with many people paying tribute, including Peterborough City Council leader John Holdich who met his wife Barbara at Brown’s Dancentre.

They have now enjoyed 51 years of marriage.