Len Goodman, who was the head judge on “Dancing With The Stars” from 2005 until 2022, sadly passed away on Saturday night after a battle with bone cancer. He was 78 years-old.
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Goodman Passes Away
Daily Mail reported that Goodman passed away peacefully in a hospice in Kent, England.
“I can confirm he died peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family,” his spokeswoman said.
Goodman’s death came just days before his 79th birthday, which is tomorrow.
It’s absolutely heartbreaking news that Len Goodman has passed away for me he was the best Judge on Strictly Come Dancing his legendary seven catchphrase was awesome sending condolences to his family and friends RIP Len Goodman 😢😢 #LenGoodman #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly pic.twitter.com/yLdMhNROUz
— Lee Hood (@Mofoman360) April 24, 2023
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Goodman’s Career
Born in 1944 in London, Goodman started dancing at 20, when a doctor recommended he start doing it after a foot injury. He went on to become a professional dancer, having a career that included him winning Dual of the Giants, British Rising Stars, The British Exhibition Championships (four times) and the World Exhibition Championships in the early 1970s.
Once he retired, Goodman founded the Goodman Dance Academy in Kent.
Goodman rose to international fame as the head judge on “Dancing With The Stars” when it premiered back in 2005, and he shocked everyone back in November when he announced that he was leaving the show.
“This will be my last season judging Dancing With the Stars,” Goodman said at the time. “I’ve been on the show since it started in 2005, and it has been a huge pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful show but I’ve decided I want to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain.”
RIP Len Goodman 😭
This was from his final episode of Dancing with the Stars just last yearpic.twitter.com/KfBQu3pbdk— Matt Rogers (@mattsyourlot) April 24, 2023
Related: Former ‘DWTS’ Champ Alfonso Ribeiro Torches Show For Firing Tom Bergeron
Tributes For Goodman
Goodman’s fellow judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli have already spoken out today to pay tribute to him.
“A Dancer. A teacher. A refined gentleman. A wonderful storyteller. A special soul. A mentor. A family man. And… A treasured friend,” Inaba wrote on Instagram alongside a video montage of herself and Goodman. “Saying goodbye at the end of last season broke my heart. But today’s news has shattered it all over again. I can’t believe that you’re gone.”
“You were one of a kind my dear friend. And I will cherish our memories and hold them close, while I join so many others in mourning your loss,” she added. “Thank you for all that you shared with us. Your humor, your wisdom, your wit and your truth. Until we meet again… Rest In Peace Len.”
Tonioli also took to Instagram to honor Goodman.
“Heart broken my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom legend #lengoodman passed away I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together @bbcstrictly @dancingwiththestars they will never be anyone like you we will miss you,” he wrote.
Goodman was also the head judge on “Strictly Come Dancing,” which is the British version of “Dancing With The Stars.”
NBC News reported that the BBC director-general Tim Davies described Goodman as “a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions. He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of ’Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family.”
Find out more about Goodman’s death in the video below.
Goodman is survived by his wife Sue and a son from a previous marriage. Please join us in saying a prayer for his family and friends during this tragic time.
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