Len Goodman, Longtime ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Judge, Dead at 78

Len Goodman, a ballroom dance expert who was the longtime head judge of , has died. Goodman’s agent confirmed his death and said he had “died peacefully, surrounded by his family” in the hospital. “It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78,” Goodman’s rep said in an April 24 statement. “A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.” BBC News reports that a manager for Goodman shared that he battled bone cancer and died in hospice care on Saturday “surrounded by his family.”

Known for his no-nonsense, tough-love judging style on Dancing With the Stars, Goodman was also a popular judge on BBC’sStrictly Come Dancing, starting in its inception in 2004 until 2016. He was replaced by Shirley Ballas in 2016. Simultaneously, he was head judge on the U.S. version, DWTS, from 2005 until last year, when he announced his retirement during the semifinals of Season 31. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family in the U.K.

“While we are all getting excited and looking forward so much to the finale next week, it will also be with a touch of sadness,” he said during the Nov. 14 episode. “As this will be my last season judging on Dancing With the Stars… I’ve been with the show since it started in 2005,” he continued. “It has been a huge pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful show. I’ve decided I’d like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain.” He continued, “I cannot thank you enough, the Dancing With the Stars family. It’s been such a wonderful experience for me.”

“I got the call to be a judge three days before the first show,” Goodman said at the time, reflecting on his long tenure on the show. “Little Len! Who am I? I’m just a dance teacher from Dartford. Suddenly, I’m thrust into Hollywood. I got the reputation for being the tough judge, because what I see is what I say.” 

The BBC released a statement just minutes after Goodman’s death was first announced by the public broadcaster, with director general Tim Davie calling him a “wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions.” Davie continued, “He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family.”

Born in London in 1944, Goodman started working as a professional dancer in his teens long before working in TV, winning numerous awards for his work. One of Goodman’s early jobs was as an apprentice welder; when he sustained a foot injury, a doctor recommended dance as a form of therapy, and Goodman began dancing at 19. 

Ahead of Strictly Come Dancing and DWTS, Goodman made multiple TV appearances, including hosting BBC shows like Len Goodman’s Dance Band Days and Len Goodman’s Perfect Christmas. Most recently, he hosted BBC One’s Holiday of My Lifetime and made a surprise appearance on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.

Goodman was treated for prostate cancer in 2009 and in 2020 revealed via the U.K.’s Melanoma Fund that he had undergone surgery for a facial melanoma. He is survived by his wife, Sue Barrett, and a son from a previous relationship, James William Goodman, Variety reports.