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

Len Goodman, the hugely popular former judge on both Strictly come dance in the US and Dancing with the stars in the US, died. He turned 78.

Goodman’s agent confirmed the news, saying he had died “peacefully, surrounded by his family” in hospital.

Goodman became one of the stars of the BBC’s popular entertainment show Strictly come dance, of which he was the head judge from its inception in 2004 to 2016, loved for his enthusiasm and fun-loving nature. He has joined Dancing with the stars in the US as a judge in 2005, announcing his retirement towards the end of the 2022 season to allow him to spend more time with his family in the UK

“Len Goodman was a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions,” said BBC director general Tim Davie. “He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the heart of Strictly’s success. He will be greatly missed by the public and his many friends and family.”