Len Goodman, Former ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Judge, Dies at 78

Len Goodman, the former head judge on “💃Dancing with the Stars,” has died.

On Monday, Goodman’s manager, Jackie Gill, gave a statement to BBC News about his passing.

“It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78. A much loved husband, father, and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends, and all who knew him,” she said.

Goodman died on Saturday surrounded by his family after a battle with bone cancer.

Following the news of his death, tributes poured in on Twitter.

Fellow “💃Dancing with the Stars” judge Bruno Tonioli honored Goodman on his Twitter page.

“Hart broken (sic) my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom LEGEND passed away I will treasure the memories of our adventures,” he wrote in the caption of a photo of the pair together.

He added, “There will never be anyone like you you will always be my perfect 10.”

https://twitter.com/BrunoTonioli/status/1650441152783437825

Journalist Piers Morgan also remembered Goodman.

“More very sad news from the world of entertainment… RIP Len Goodman, 78 – welder, dancer, judge, and devoted cricket & West Ham fan. Always had a laugh with Len, and swapped a few strong opinions. A quintessential Londoner and a top bloke,” he wrote.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie also paid tribute to Goodman, who was a judge for the British dance contest show “Strictly Come Dancing.”

“Len was at the very heart of Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family,” he shared, via BBC Press Office.

Goodman would have turned 79 on April 25. In his final interview with the Daily Mail in 2022, he revealed he wanted to die at the same age as his father at 79.

“My dad had the right idea. He loved gardening and he had a stroke while he was out in the garden. He was 79 so if I go the way of my dad, that’ll be next year,” he said.