Earlier this week, we reported that the former “Dancing With The Stars” head judge Len Goodman had passed away at the age of 78 after a private battle with cancer. Now, a chilling interview from December has surfaced in which Goodman predicted his own death.
https://twitter.com/DWTSDisney/status/1650440404465074178
Goodman Predicted His Death
“Bing Crosby had the right idea,” Goodman told Daily Mail four months before his own passing. “He played 18 holes of golf, then, bosh, dropped down dead.”
“I don’t want a load of lingering. My dad had the right idea, too,” he continued. “He loved gardening, and he had a stroke while he was out in the garden. He was 79. So, if I go the way of my dad, that’ll be next year.”
Goodman ended up passing away just three days before his 79th birthday, according to Fox News.
In this same interview, Goodman revealed what he wanted his obituary to say.
“Just write: ‘He was a dance teacher from Dartford who got lucky,'” he said. “Because that’s just about the truth of it.”
Hart broken my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom LEGEND #LenGoodman passed away I will treasure the memories of our adventures @bbcstrictly @officialdwts there will never be anyone like you you will always be my perfect 10 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/M5qnHedx5S
— Bruno Tonioli (@BrunoTonioli) April 24, 2023
Related: ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Judge Len Goodman Dead At 78 After Cancer Battle
Goodman’s Previous Cancer Battles
Goodman died on Saturday surrounded by his family under hospice care in Kent, England after a battle with bone cancer. He’d previously battled cancer on at least two occasions, with the first resulting in the removal of a cancerous tumor from his prostate gland in 2009. Goodman then revealed to the world in 2020 that he had skin cancer.
“I don’t make a fuss about stuff like that,” he said in his December interview. “It’s like when you have a car. You keep it serviced, but even so, you’ll have some trouble with your carburetor, and you’ll need to get it fixed.”
“And eventually the whole thing will conk out, and there you go,” he added. “It’s more about the journey, and mine has been lovely.”
Goodman was the head judge on “Dancing with the Stars” for 31 seasons, starting from when it premiered in 2005 until he retired last year.
“Doing a live show you have to be at the top of your game and quick to react,” Goodman told People Magazine of his decision to retire. “And as one gets older, then things start to get more challenging.”
“I will miss the California sunshine, working with my fellow judges and the camaraderie with everyone on the show,” he continued. “I’ll miss seeing the celebrities developing into dancers, and I will miss being part of one of the most successful shows on TV.”
The team here at @BBCMorningLive are very saddened by the news of the death of dancer and former @bbcstrictly head judge Len Goodman. We are sending his family and friends our deepest condolences. pic.twitter.com/SnwtDZka1a
— BBC Morning Live (@BBCMorningLive) April 24, 2023
Related: Tyra Banks Leaving ‘Dancing With The Stars’ 3 Years After Replacing Tom Bergeron
Buckingham Palace Honors Goodman
Goodman’s death was confirmed by his agent Jackie Gill, who described him as “a much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”
Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying that Queen Consort Camilla was “saddened” to hear of Goodman’s death.
“Her Majesty was saddened to hear the news,” the palace said, according to The Mirror.
Camilla is reportedly a huge fan of “Strictly Come Dancing,” the British version of “Dancing With The Stars” that Goodman also judged from 2004 until 2016.
Always a good sport, Camilla takes to the floor with ballroom legend Len Goodman. We were pretty sure she wouldn’t resist if he asked! Dancing is great for bone health too according to the @RoyalOsteoSoc pic.twitter.com/Nl47QgRzh0
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 5, 2019
While it’s sad that we have lost Goodman, his December interview indicates that he was at peace with knowing that this death was likely near. Please join us in saying a prayer for his family and friends during this difficult time.