Len Goodman arrives on the premiere for “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s Finish” in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Might 19, 2007. Goodman, an urbane long-serving choose on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing,” has died, his agent mentioned Monday, April 24, 2023. He was 78. A former dancer, Goodman was a choose on “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years from its launch on the BBC in 2004. Matt Sayles, Related Press
Len Goodman, a former ballroom dancer and choose on BBC’s ballroom competitors present “Strictly Come Dancing,” in addition to the American model, “Dancing with the Stars,” died on Saturday on the age of 78.
On Monday, his agent, Jackie Gill, mentioned the star had fought bone most cancers for a while and labored till just a few weeks in the past. He died in a hospice middle in Kent, England, the place his son, James William Goodman, and spouse, Sue Barrett, sat with him, per The New York Occasions.
“He retained his humorousness throughout his sickness and handled it with nice dignity,” Gill informed the Occasions. “He was at all times a real gentleman. He cherished his work and by no means took something without any consideration.”
He began dancing at 19, and received the British Rising Stars, the British Exhibition Championships, Twin of the Giants and the World Exhibition Championships. He then based his personal dance academy known as the Goodman Academy positioned in Dartford England, reported the Occasions.
Beginning in 2004, Goodman was a choose on “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years, and the present’s American counterpart, “Dancing with the Stars,” for 15 years, till his retirement in late November, reported The Related Press.
His co-judge on “Dancing with the Stars,” Bruno Tonioli, tweeted that he was heartbroken to lose his “expensive pal” and “associate for 19 years.” “There'll by no means be anybody such as you, you'll at all times be my excellent 10.”
Hart damaged my expensive pal and associate for 19 years the one and solely ballroom LEGEND #LenGoodman handed away I'll treasure the reminiscences of our adventures @bbcstrictly@officialdwts there'll by no means be anybody such as you you'll at all times be my excellent 10 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/M5qnHedx5S
— Bruno Tonioli (@BrunoTonioli) April 24, 2023
In a tweet, Shirley Ballas, the pinnacle coach of “Strictly Come Dancing,” mentioned, “As I got here off Good Morning Britain I heard of the passing of my dearest pal Len Goodman. My previous trainer, a dance legend and a real gentleman.” She known as him “a shining star within the ballroom.”
What extraordinarily unhappy information this morning. As I got here off Good Morning Britain I heard of the passing of my dearest pal Len Goodman.
— Shirley Ballas (@ShirleyBallas) April 24, 2023
My previous trainer, a dance legend and a real gents. He was a shining star within the ballroom that everybody cherished. ❤️ … pic.twitter.com/fwAqWql7Xb
Goodman’s humorousness and poise made him a fan favourite and with compliments equivalent to, “you floated throughout the ground like butter on a crumpet,” and telling one couple they danced “like two scorching sausages on a barbeque,” he received the hearts of many, per AP.
To commemorate his time on “Strictly” — as followers lovingly name the present — BBC made this recap of Goodman in 2016.
“One of many causes he succeeded so effectively within the States is that he was quintessentially British,” British broadcaster Esther Rantzen informed AP. “He was agency however truthful, humorous however a gentleman and I hope the nation will undertake his favourite expostulation of ‘pickle me walnuts.’”