We've started the week with the news that Len Goodman – dance judge extraordinaire – has passed away at the age of 78.
Best known for his roles on Strictly Come Dancing as head judge from the show’s inception in 2004 until 2016 and on the US version, Dancing With The Stars, from 2005 to 2022, Len started dancing at the age of 19. Eventually he retired from professional dancing in his late 20s after winning the British Championships in Blackpool.
Never one to mince his words, Len loved a simile to describe how successful the celebrities were on the dance floor and some of our favourite lines of his include, ‘You floated across that floor like butter on a crumpet’ and ‘If you’re in the bottom two tomorrow, I’ll show my bum in the supermarket!’
This morning, his agent Jackie Gill confirmed the sad news saying, ‘Len died on Saturday night in a hospice in Kent. He had bone cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He always kept is sense of humour and great dignity. A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.’
Tributes to Len have been flooding in - including from former BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker who shared, ‘So sad to hear about the death of Len Goodman. 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’.
Piers Morgan also added, ‘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.’