We are saddened to report the passing of Len Goodman, the renowned former head judge on Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) and Strictly Come Dancing, at the age of 78. Goodman’s manager, Jackie Gill, confirmed the news in a statement released this morning, stating that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at a hospice in Kent, England. The beloved dance figure had been battling bone cancer.
Len Goodman’s illustrious career as a professional dancer and judge spanned decades, with his tenure on DWTS lasting from 2005 to 2022 and on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2016. BBC Director-General Tim Davie expressed his condolences, praising Goodman as a “wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions.” Tributes have also poured in from the entertainment community, including TV host Piers Morgan, who described Goodman as a “quintessential Londoner and a top bloke.”
Goodman announced his retirement from the Disney+ dance competition series in November 2022, during an episode of DWTS, which was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. As a professional ballroom dancer from England, Goodman first joined DWTS as head judge in 2005 and continued to serve in various capacities throughout the show’s history.
