Len Goodman dies at 78: Dancing with the Stars chief judge passed away peacefully in hospice surrounded by his family over the weekend after battling bone cancer
- Len Goodman served as a chief judge on Dancing with the Stars from 2005 to 2022
- The former professional ballroom dancer passed away days before his 79th birthday
Dancing with the stars Head judge Len Goodman has died of bone cancer at the age of 78.
The beloved judge passed away peacefully in a hospice in Kent, England, on Saturday evening after a short illness.
A spokeswoman for Len told MailOnline: “I can confirm that he passed away peacefully over the weekend, surrounded by his family.”
In addition to his role as sole head judge on Dancing With the Stars, he appeared on the UK version of the show, Strictly Come Dancing, from its launch in 2004 until 2016.
Dancing With The Stars judge Len Goodman passed away at a hospice in England on Saturday at the age of 78
Len Goodman pictured on ‘Lorraine’ on British channel ITV in 2018
Len’s death will be mourned by leading figures in showbiz after a stellar six-decade career.
Born in London on 25 April 1944, he began his working life as an apprentice welder at Harland and Wolff in Woolwich, and wanted to become a footballer.
He didn’t start dancing until he was 20, after his doctor recommended it to help him recover from a foot injury.
He turned professional and enjoyed a successful competitive dancing career, including winning Dual of the Giants, British Rising Stars, The British Exhibition Championships (four times) and the World Exhibition Championships in the early 1970s.
After his retirement he founded the Goodman Dance Academy in Kent, south of London. He was an examiner for the National Association of Teachers of Dance, a Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, and a judge for the World Dance Council.
His unparalleled knowledge of Latin and Ballroom, as well as his penchant for well-turned metaphors, made him a favorite with millions of Strictly fans in later years, where his signature catchphrase of “Seven!” points are heard long after he leaves the program.
Len made a large number of TV and radio appearances in the UK and was also a very successful presenter on several shows, playing on the Strictly Live Tour for many years.
He produced many DVDs for the dance education industry and an instructional DVD for the general public called ‘Dance With Len Goodman’
He published his autobiography ‘Better Late Than Never: From Barrow Boy to Ballroom’ in 2009, which was followed by two other books, ‘Len’s Lost London’ and ‘Dancing Around Britain’.
Last November, on Dancing With The Stars, he announced that at the end of that series, he would put up his score sheet for the last time, telling viewers, “This will be my last season judging Dancing With the Stars.”
‘I’ve been with the show since it started in 2005, and it’s been a great pleasure to be a part of such a great show, but I’ve decided I want to spend more time with my grandchildren and family in Britain . added Goodman.
He said he would miss the camaraderie with other judges and the California sun.
Goodman was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2009 and was treated surgically at a London hospital.
In September 2021, it was reported that he had surgery for minor facial melanoma the previous year.
Len Goodman (second from left) was the head judge on Dancing with the Stars for 17 years
Len Goodman’s career as a ballroom dancer and television judge spanned six decades
Tributes poured in from all over the world after the announcement of Len’s death.
Journalist Pier Morgan wrote on Twitter: “More very sad news from the entertainment world. RIP Len Goodman…always had a laugh with Len and exchanged some strong opinions. A typical Londoner and a top guy.’