Len Goodman, ‘Dancing With the Stars’ judge, dies at 78
Len Goodman dies LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 08: Judge Len Goodman attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing' Season 8 Launch Show at BBC Television Centre on September 8, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images) (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
By Debbie Lord, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Len Goodman, the former judge on the TV dance competition “Dancing with the Stars,’ died Saturday of bone cancer, according to his manager.
“It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78,” Goodman’s manager Jackie Gill said in the statement shared with BBC News. “A much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”
Goodman died at a hospice in Kent, England, surrounded by his family, according to the BBC.
“He retained his sense of humor during his illness and dealt with it with great dignity,” Gill said. “He was always a true gentleman. He loved his work and never took anything for granted.”
While Goodman became familiar to Americans as a judge on ‘DWTS,’ he was a successful professional dancer before he became a head judge on the British version of the show called “Strictly Come Dancing.” He was on “Strictly” for 12 years from its launch on the BBC in 2004.
The shows pair celebrities with dance instructors, and each week the duos perform a dance and are judged on their performances.
“Doing a live show you have to be at the top of your game and quick to react. And as one gets older, then things start to get more challenging,” he told People. “I haven’t fallen asleep or started dribbling yet on the show, so I thought it’s best to go before I start to do so!”
Tributes to Goodman came in from coworkers and fans, alike.
British broadcaster Esther Rantzen said Goodman was firm but always “a gentleman.”
“One of the reasons he succeeded so well in the States is that he was quintessentially British,” Rantzen said. “He was firm but fair, funny but a gentleman and I hope the nation will adopt his favorite expostulation of ‘pickle me walnuts.’”
Former judge Bruno Tonioli shared a picture of the two of them together, declaring: “There will never be anyone like you. You will always be my perfect 10.”
Piers Morgan called Goodman a “quintessential Londoner and a top bloke.”
Goodman is survived by his wife, a son and two grandchildren.
Through the years NEW YORK - MAY 16: (L to R) Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli attend the ABC Television Network Upfront at Lincoln Center May 16, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Through the years ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 19: "Dancing With The Stars" Judge Len Goodman attends the premiere of Walt Disney's "Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End" held at Disneyland on May 19, 2007 in Anaheim, California. Proceeds from the world premiere of Walt Disney's "Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End" will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and Make-A-Wish International. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Through the years VAN NUYS, CA - MAY 09: Dancing with the Stars Judge Len Goodman attends the Westfield Hollywood Ashes Australia v Britain Celebrity Cricket Matchon May 9, 2009 in Van Nuys, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Through the years LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 08: Judge Len Goodman attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing' Season 8 Launch Show at BBC Television Centre on September 8, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images) (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
Through the years BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman attends the red carpet launch for "Strictly Come Dancing" at Elstree Studios on September 3, 2013 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images) (Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
Through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: TV personality Len Goodman in Boss Orange 107 sunglasses poses at the Solstice fitting station during the HBO Luxury Lounge in honor of The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards at The Four Seasons Hotel on September 21, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Mediaplacement) (Rachel Murray)
Through the years GREENHITHE, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 10: Len Goodman meets fans and signs copies of his book 'Lost London: A Personal Journey' at Waterstones Bluewater on October 10, 2013 in Greenhithe, England. (Photo by Simon Burchell/Getty Images) (Simon Burchell/Getty Images)
Through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 6: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales speaks to Charles Dance and Len Goodman and during a reception for Age UK at Buckingham Palace on June 6, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Stillwell -WPA Pool/Getty Images) (WPA Pool/Getty Images)