‘Dancing With the Stars’ Judge Len Goodman Dies at 78

Len Goodman, the longtime judge of “Dancing With the Stars,” has died after a battle with bone cancer. He was 78.

“It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78,” Jackie Gill, Goodman’s manager, said in a statement. “A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”

The British ballroom dancer died surrounded by family at a hospice in Kent, England.

Goodman was head judge on the British version of the celebrity competition, “Strictly Come Dancing,” from its launch in 2004 until 2016. He joined “DWTS” when it premiered in the US in 2005 through 2022.

Goodman revealed last year that he would be retiring from “DWTS,” with Season 31 — which premiered on its new home at Disney+ last fall — being his last season after 17 years as a judge.

“I got the call to be a judge three days before the first show,” he said at the time of his departure announcement, via Variety. “Little Len! Who am I? I’m just a dance teacher from Dartford. Suddenly, I’m thrust into Hollywood. I got the reputation for being the tough judge, because what I see is what I say.”

Goodman dealt with other health issues prior to his bone cancer. In 2009, he was treated for prostate cancer after secretly battling it during some seasons of both “Strictly” and “DWTS.”

He is survived by his wife Sue Barrett and son from a previous relationship, James Goodman.