skip to main content

Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Len Goodman dies aged 78

Updated / Monday, 24 Apr 2023 18:29

Tributes have been paid to the former Strictly Come Dancing head judge Len Goodman following his death at the age of 78.

The dancer and choreographer, originally from London, had been diagnosed with bone cancer and died on Saturday night.

Goodman became a judge on the BBC show in 2004 and his final appearance was on the 2016 Christmas Day special.

He was replaced as head judge on the BBC show by Shirley Ballas.

Goodman also served as head judge on Dancing with the Stars, the US version of the show, for more than 15 years until announcing his retirement in November last year.

He said at the time that he wanted to "spend more time with my grandchildren and family" back in the UK.

Goodman would have celebrated his 79th birthday on Tuesday.

A statement from his agent said: "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."

Len Goodman pictured with fellow Strictly Come Dancing judges Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell in 2016

Goodman began dancing at 19, winning various competitions including the British Championships in Blackpool in his late 20s, after which he retired as a competitive dancer.

Goodman was also a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to dance.

As well as his successful dancing and television career, he was also the owner of the Goodman Academy, a dance school in Kent in the UK.

Outside of dance, Goodman was a music enthusiast and regularly stood in for the late Paul O'Grady when the entertainer was away from his BBC Radio 2 show.

Buckingham Palace said Britain's Queen Consort was "saddened" to learn of the death of Len Goodman.

He and Camilla, an avid fan of Strictly, shared a dance in September 2019 as part of the British Dance Council's 90th-anniversary celebrations at London's Victory Services Club.

Len Goodman and the-then Duchess of Cornwall at the British Dance Council's 90th-anniversary celebrations in London in September 2019

Camilla also previously appeared in Strictly's 2017 Christmas special, dancing with judge Craig Revel Horwood at Buckingham Palace.

Downing Street also joined former and current judges and presenters of Strictly in sending condolences to the loved ones of the "great entertainer".

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: "Len Goodman was a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions. 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."

Strictly presenter Tess Daly described Goodman as a "beautiful man, genuine, warm and humble, who left an impression on everyone he met" and said she would never forget the fun they had on set.

She continued: "You were never a 7 for me, Len you were always a 10."

Her co-host, Claudia Winkleman, described Goodman as "one of a kind, a brilliant and kind man".

"Full of twinkle, warmth and wit," she added.

Former Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli, who also worked with Goodman on Dancing with the Stars, said his heart was "broken" at the news that his "dear friend and partner" had died.

He added: "I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together @bbcstrictly @dancingwiththestars.

"There will never be anyone like you."

Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas saluted "her dearest friend".

"My past teacher, a dance legend and a true gentleman," she said. "He was a shining star in the ballroom that everyone loved."

Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood described Goodman as a "gorgeous colleague and dear friend" in response to the former judge's death.

He tweeted: "I've just woken up to the sad news that my gorgeous colleague and dear friend Len Goodman has passed away.

"My heart and love go out to his lovely Sue and family.

"Len Goody Goodman is what I always called him and 'It's a ten from Len & seveeeeern’ will live with me forever. RIP Len".

Strictly judge Anton Du Beke, who was a professional dancer on the show during Goodman's tenure, paid tribute to his "dear friend of nearly 45 years".

He said: "It's incredibly difficult to find the words to encapsulate Len, because he was everything but he was also simply, Len.

"I first knew him when I was a young lad and was dancing, he was my dance judge. Len was different to anyone else in the dancing business - he was a wonderful character, he had a roguishness about him - he had twinkle. He had a way about him that you really wanted him to like you. If Len liked you, it was more important than anyone else liking you."

Du Beke added that Goodman had "a bit of a magic and that's what always made him so popular".

He said Goodman had been "clever, articulate, wonderfully well-read and a great lover of poetry", adding that they played golf together over nearly four decades.

"A national treasure certainly, but more importantly to me he was my friend. I was very lucky to know him. I'm going to miss you, Len," he said.

Former Strictly judge Alesha Dixon called Goodman "a true gentleman and one of a kind".

"He always made me feel so welcome and we laughed a lot," she added.

Another former Strictly judge, Darcey Bussell, thanked the late star for "the special memories".

TV presenter Susanna Reid, who took part in Strictly in 2013, described Goodman as "a beautiful man".

She tweeted: "Oh this is such an awful shock and so sad. Len was an absolute legend & the definition of a proper gent.

"He was a beautiful man with a huge sense of humour who had such a mischievous turn of phrase.

"I’ll never forget 'all bounce, bum & bongos'. My love to his family."

Former BBC presenter Dan Walker, who competed on Strictly in 2021 and was friends with Goodman, said he was "so sad" to hear the news.

He added: "He was an incredible man & an extraordinary talent. Loved making telly with him, being daft with him, playing golf with him & will never forget the little tips he would send every week on Strictly. All my love to his family."

Source: Press Association

More stories on

Read Next