Len Goodman, Strictly and Dancing with the Stars, dies at 78 – Variety

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Len Goodman, longtime judge of “Dancing With the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing,” has passed away. He was 78 years old.

Goodman’s manager confirmed his death to the BBC on Monday. The British dancer and judge, who was diagnosed with bone cancer, died on April 22 at an inn in Kent, surrounded by his family.

“It is with great sadness that we announce that Lynne Goodman has passed away peacefully at the age of 78,” Goodman’s agent, Jackie Gill, said in a statement. “A much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and everyone who knew him.”

Goodman was one of the main judges on the popular BBC dance competition “Strictly Come Dancing” from its launch in 2004 until 2016. He has also served as a judge on the US version, “Dancing With the Stars” on ABC, since its launch from 2005 Until 2022.

Last year, Goodman revealed that season 31 of “Dancing With the Stars,” which premiered last fall in his new Disney+ home, would be his final season after 17 years with the show.

“I got the call to be a judge three days before the premiere,” Goodman said at the time, reflecting on his long tenure on the show. “Little Lin! who am I? I’m just a dance teacher from Dartford. Suddenly, I entered Hollywood. I have a reputation for being a strict judge, because what I see is what I say.”

In fact, Goodman was respected on both shows for his straightforward criticism and analysis of the contestants. He didn’t mince words in conveying the comments, but was also kind and a compliment from the star performer.

The BBC issued a statement just minutes after Goodman’s death was first announced by its public broadcaster, with managing director Tim Davie describing him as “a wonderful, heartwarming entertainer adored by millions”.

“He appealed to all ages and he felt like a member of everyone’s family,” Davey said. “Lane was at the heart of Strictly’s success. He will be missed by the fans and many of his friends and family.”

Born in London in 1944, Leonard Gordon Goodman moved with his family to Blackfein at an early age. One of his early jobs was as an apprentice welder. Upon suffering a foot injury, a doctor recommended dancing as a form of treatment, and Goodman began dancing at the age of 19.

As a professional, Goodman won a number of competitions and eventually retired in his late twenties. He has appeared as a main judge on “Strictly” since its inception, serving on panel with Arlene Phillips, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli, whom he later worked with on “Dancing with the Stars”. He quit the show in 2016.

Goodman became a household name in America upon the release of “Dancing With the Stars” in 2005, working alongside Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba until the final season. (Season 32 is set to return on Disney+ this fall.)

Outside of judging assignments, Goodman has hosted several shows, including Partners in Rhyme, The Vacation of My Life with Len Goodman, and Dancing Cheek to Cheek: An Intimate History of Dance.

Goodman was treated for prostate cancer in 2009, and in 2020, the Melanoma UK Trust revealed that he had undergone surgery to treat facial skin cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Barrett, and son, James William Goodman, from a previous relationship.