Former ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Judge Len Goodman Dead at 78

Picture Credit score: ABC/Christopher Willard

The dancing and tv world are mourning after the stunning lack of Dancing With The Stars and Strictly Come Dancing decide Len Goodman. Information broke within the early mourning of April twenty fourth that the 78-year-old died on Saturday, April 22, at a hospice in Kent, England, surrounded by his household, in keeping with the BBC. He had reportedly battled bone most cancers since 2021. An announcement obtained by HollywoodLife.com learn, “It’s with nice disappointment to announce that Len Goodman has handed away peacefully, aged 78. A a lot beloved husband, father and grandfather who will probably be sorely missed by household, mates and all who knew him.” He’s survived by his spouse Sue Barrett and son James Goodman.

Len Goodman was born in London in 1944 and labored as knowledgeable dancer earlier than breaking into the TV business. The longtime dance TV decide introduced he was retiring from his put up on Dancing With The Stars within the midst of season 31 within the fall of 2022. “I’ve been with the present because it began in 2005 and it has been an enormous pleasure to be part of such a beautiful present, however I’ve determined I’d wish to spend extra time with my grandchildren and household again in Britain,” he mentioned, with the viewers, the solid and his fellow judges — Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough — giving him a standing ovation.

He continued, “I can’t thanks sufficient, the Dancing with the Stars household. It’s been such a beautiful expertise for me.” Len was additionally a preferred, longtime decide on the BBC sequence Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2016, earlier than solely specializing in DWTS. On the time of his retirement announcement, host Tyra Banks known as him a ‘dwelling legend’ and praised, “You’ve impressed generations of dancers across the complete globe by means of your ardour, by means of your experience and thru your laser-focused eye, And they will keep it up that dedication to excellence ceaselessly.”

Len judged DWTS starting in its very first season again in 2005. He skipped judging season 21, and was not current for season 29, both, because of COVID-19. Along with judging Dancing With the Stars, Len was additionally a decide on the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing, usually flying forwards and backwards between England and the U.S. to juggle each jobs. He left the present in 2016 after 12 years.