As Greenhithe’s Len Goodman prepares to hang up his scoring paddles and bow out as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing, the ballroom dancing guru looks back at his highlights from 14 series on the show.

The 72-year-old, who was born in Farnborough, has lived in Blackfen, Welling and Bexley, and owns The Len Goodman Dance Centre in Dartford, is sharing his favourite moments in a DVD, The Best Of Strictly Come Dancing: Len's Grand Finale.

He said: “I've gone through all my favourite dances, all the best couples I've seen, all the fun ones and also looked back on the things that went wrong."

Here we take a trip down memory lane with a great 10 from Len celebrating "the best, the bravest and the barmiest routines we've ever had".

1. All roads lead to Blackpool

One of Len's highlights has been Strictly's annual trip to Blackpool, when the show packs up and travels north to the iconic Tower Ballroom.

"You never know what you're going to see, but whatever it is, it's bound to be special.

"Blackpool is the home of ballroom, it's like a footballer playing at Wembley, and performing in that beautiful venue really makes everybody up their game."

2. Dream theme

We've had movie week, Halloween week, musicals week - Strictly certainly loves a theme. Goodman's all-time favourite themed routine was EastEnders actress Kellie Bright and partner Kevin Clifton dancing to Oom Pah Pah from Oliver! for musicals week in series 13.

"I tell you what; it's a Dickens of a routine."

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3. Costume drama

From shiny sequins to skimpy leotards, costumes - or the lack of them - are a crucial component of the Strictly experience.

"We've had millions of different ones over the years, but when the celebs raid the dressing-up box, it seems to add a little something extra to their routines, especially in themed weeks.”

Particularly memorable looks include Waterloo Road actor Mark Benton's MC Hammer tribute in series 11 (a gold lame jacket, harem pants and a giant medallion), Jeremy Vine's Go West cowboy look in series 13, and Kara Tointon's barely-there leopard print number in series eight.

4. Cha-cha-chas and ha-ha-has!

For all the full marks dances, there are plenty of full-blown belly laughs too. From political reporter John Sergeant to former shadow chancellor Ed Balls, we love seeing a serious public figure in sequins and a spray tan.

Perhaps one of the most colourful characters to grace the Strictly dance floor was former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, who competed back in 2010. She performed a Samba routine with partner Anton du Beke, in which she donned a striking yellow creation.

"You could've knocked me down with a feather when she came out looking like my Aunt Mary's canary."

5. Strictly surprises

Every so often there's an unlikely hero on Strictly, someone unexpected who suddenly busts out some killer moves. Not even an astrologer could have predicted Russell Grant's prowess at being fired out of a cannon in series nine, or that sports presenter Ore Oduba would be such a flawless jiver this year.

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But perhaps the biggest surprise of all was EastEnders actor Jake Wood, who Len confesses to having had "no great expectations" about - he showed off some stunning snake hips in series 12.

6. Leaps and bounds

Nothing makes a Strictly fan gasp more than a daring lift. We've had ex-Emmerdaler Lisa Riley hoisting partner Robin Windsor aloft in series 10, gymnast Louis Smith's double somersault the same series, and Jake Wood's daring moves with partner Janette Manrara during their series 12 salsa. As Goodman observes, the pair were "literally bending over backwards" to impress.

7. Good sports

In at number seven - or should that be a Goodman-style "SEVEN!" - it's Strictly's sporting stars. Strictly has had some great athletes on the scoreboard over the years, from footballers and rugby players, to sprinters and boxers, and some have even gone on to glitterball glory.

But it's not the winning but the taking part that counts, as cricketer Phil Tufnell - who gets a special mention on the DVD for his Daddy Cool dance routine - reminded us back in series seven.

8. The perfect 10

It takes something very special to score a 40 from these hard-to-please judges - especially stern-faced Craig Revel Horwood. But over the years, some talented pairings have managed to get a full house from Goodman and co.

Memorable full-marks routines include Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani's sizzling Argentine tango in series nine, Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev's fast-footed Istanbul (not Constantinople) Charleston in series 12, and more recently, Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse's red-hot samba in the current series.

9. Firm favourites

The ballroom expert has seen hundreds of celebrity performances over the years on Strictly, but one of his all-time favourites was actress Jill Halfpenny's brilliant jive with partner Darren Bennett. The former EastEnders star was the first celeb to score 40 on the show, and she went on to win series two.

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"I admire every celebrity that goes on Strictly, because I wouldn't be able to do it.

"Dancing live and doing something you have never done before - it fills me with admiration because it's a wonderful thing."

10. Counting his lucky stars

When Strictly launched in 2004, few could have predicted it would become such a huge hit - including Len.

"All those years ago, who'd have thought that little old Len Goodman would have gone from a barrow boy with a fruit and veg stall to being head judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

"If you'd told me that my life would pan out like this, I'd never have believed you, but that's Strictly for you."

The Best Of Strictly Come Dancing: Len's Grand Finale DVD is out now. Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One on Saturdays and Sundays.