Dancing With the Stars Judge Len Goodman Dies at Age 78
Len Goodman died just over a year after announcing his retirement from Dancing With the Stars.
The media report has, confirmed the news on Monday, April 24. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden death of Len Goodman, age 78. “A much-loved husband, father, and grandpa who will be deeply mourned by family, friends, and everyone who knew him, he was really a great person.”
According to his management and report, Goodman died at a hospice in Kent, England, surrounded by relatives.
Let you know that, the Dancing With the Stars Judge Len Goodman is a former British professional ballroom dancer and dance judge. He was born in London, England, on April 25, 1944.
Goodman is best known for his work as a judge of “Dancing with the Stars, UK version ” where he was the lead judge for 12 years. For seven years, he was also a judge on “Dancing with the Stars,” the American version of the show.
Len Goodman began his dance career as a young man, winning multiple ballroom dancing trophy for the period of 1960s and 1970s. He later worked as a dancing teacher and coach before move to television industry as a host and judge. The decedent Goodman has appeared on other dance-related TV shows such as “Dancing on Ice” and “DanceX.” He has appeared as a guest judge on “So You Think You Can Dance” in the United States as well.
From 2004 to 2016, the ballroom professional appeared as a judge on the BBC competition programme Strictly Come Dancing. He joined Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli as head judge on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars in 2005 and announced his retirement in November 2022 following season 31.
Len Goodman Dancing with the Stars
“I’ve been with the program from the start in 2005, and it’s been an honor to be a part of it, but I’ve chosen to spend more time with my grandkids and family back in Britain,” he said at the time when he has announced his retirement.“ I can’t thank you all enough, Dancing With the Stars family; it’s been an incredible experience for me, and I’m looking forward to next week’s finale.”
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, Goodman sat out season 29 of DWTS in 2020, with Derek Hough joining Inaba, 55, and Tonioli, 67. Many celebrities mourn Goodman’s passing on Monday, including the Italian choreographer.
“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❤️,” Tonioli shared a snapshot of the two of them having a lovely embrace.
Goodman, who was born in London, began dancing at the age of 19 after working as an apprentice welder. He immediately turned a professional and won several ballroom competitions before retiring from performance, but his passion for dance never faltered. Goodman received the Carl Alan Award, which recognizes teachers, choreographers, and others who have made important contributions to the dance industry, over his long career, and he founded the Goodman Academy dance school in southern England.
During his time on DWTS, the Len Goodman’s Perfect Christmas actor was infamous for dishing out harsh love from the judge’s table to celeb entrants and their professional partners. When it came to sparing couples from elimination, Goodman held the ultimate tie-breaking power as head judge — but the rule sometimes caused confusion among viewers.
While his criticisms sometimes raised eyebrows, Goodman was well-liked by his DWTS family. “He’s the head judge,” Hough, exclusively told the media in November 2021. “There is no program where the original judges from season 1 are still present in season 30. It’s rather impressive. It’s quite extraordinary.”
The late TV star is survived by his wife, Sue Barrett, and a son from a previous relationship, James William Goodman.
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