Last updated on July 8th, 2023 at 10:20 am

The lovely and kind performer, dancing expert, and former Dancing with the Stars head judge Len Goodman passed away on April 22, 2023, at a hospice in Kent, England. He was 78. Len died from bone cancer.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2009 and underwent surgery at a London hospital. He had surgery in 2020 to remove a tiny face melanoma.

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According to Len Goodman’s manager, Jackie Gill, the famous actor died quietly, leaving a family and friends behind.

Following the announcement of his death, the Queen Consort of the United Kingdom Camilla Parker Bowles and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak paid homage to the television great.

Who is Len Goodman

Len Goodman was born on April 25, 1944, in Farnborough, Kent. Goodman was raised in Bethnal Green, East London, where his grandfather was a fruit and vegetable costermonger.

Leonard Gordon Goodman was his father and Louisa Adelaide Eldridge was his mother. His father and stepmother Irene urged him to pursue a career in dance.

Young Len has pushed around in his grandfather’s barrow and was tasked with ensuring that the vegetables looked fresh. When he was six years old, he relocated to Blackfen and subsequently attended Westwood Secondary Modern School, where he was a member of the cricket team.

Prior to retiring and putting up his dancing shoes in the early 1970s, the dancer and his partner Cherry won the British Exhibition Championships in Blackpool four times.

However, Len’s years of dancing took a toll on his body, and he suffered from arthritis for years.

Len Goodman Career

Len Goodman first appeared on DWTS in 2005 as the show’s top judge. He was joined by Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, who has been on the judge’s panel for all 31 seasons.

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He was a judge for the first 20 seasons before taking a hiatus for season 21. He subsequently returned to judging for seasons 22-28 before taking a hiatus again in season 29. He later returned during Season 30 till his retirement.

Awards Earned by Len Goodman

He was a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to dance and owned the Goodman Academy dance school in southern England.

Len Goodman Retirement Announced

Len Goodman announced his retirement on 16^th November 2022. In a statement, Goodman cited his age and desire to spend more time with his family as the reasons for his departure. He also expressed his gratitude to the show’s producers, fellow judges, and the contestants, saying that he had “loved every minute” of his time on the show. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans and contestants alike.

“Whilst we’re all getting excited and looking forward so much to the finale next week, it will also be with a touch of sadness as this will be my last season judging on Dancing with the Stars,” Len Goodman said with a tear in his eye during his last TV appearance. “I’ve been with the program from its inception in 2005, and it’s been an honor to be a part of such a beautiful production, but I’ve chosen to spend more time with my grandkids and family back in Britain.”

Len Goodman was photographed smiling at his final public appearance at a celebrity event in 2022 when he attended the Celebrity Golf Classic at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire in July.

The former Strictly judge, who left the program in 2016, was well-known for his role on the famous BBC show, which he held from its inception in 2004.

The English professional dancer left the BBC show Strictly after 12 years but remained on the US version.

Len Goodman Personality

Former Strictly judge Alesha Dixon described Len as “a true gentleman and one of a kind” in response to the news that her fellow judge had died.

Britain’s Got Talent judge commented on Instagram, “So sad to hear that the wonderful Len has passed away.” He was a true gentleman and one of a kind.”He always made me feel comfortable, and we had a lot of fun!”