29 Facts About Len Goodman

Leonard Gordon Goodman was an English professional ballroom dancer, dance teacher, and dance competition adjudicator.

Len Goodman appeared as head judge on the UK television programme Strictly Come Dancing, where various celebrities compete for the glitter ball trophy, from its beginning in 2004 until 2016 and on the US television programme Dancing with the Stars from 2005 until 2022.

Len Goodman ran a ballroom dance school in Dartford, Kent.

Len Goodman was born in Farnborough, Kent, on 25 April 1944.

Len Goodman grew up in Bethnal Green, East London, where his grandfather worked as a costermonger, selling fruit and vegetables.

Len Goodman moved to Blackfen when he was six years old and later attended Westwood Secondary Modern School, where he was a member of the cricket team.

Len Goodman was an apprentice welder for Harland and Wolff in Woolwich.

Len Goodman started dancing at the late age of 19, after his doctor recommended it as therapy for a foot injury.

Len Goodman turned professional, won various competitions, and retired from dancing after winning the British Championships at Blackpool in his late twenties.

Len Goodman appeared as head judge on the BBC One dance competition Strictly Come Dancing from its inception in 2004 until 2016.

Len Goodman appeared on the panel with Arlene Phillips, Bruno Tonioli, and Craig Revel Horwood; Phillips was later replaced by Alesha Dixon and then Darcey Bussell.

In July 2016, Len Goodman announced he would be leaving the show at the end of that year's series.

Len Goodman had been the sole head judge on Strictly Come Dancing's American adaptation, Dancing with the Stars.

Len Goodman had appeared with fellow judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli since the show's inception and for five seasons with alternating fourth judges Julianne Hough and Derek Hough.

Len Goodman did not appear as a judge in season 21 and season 29, but presented short segments on dance styles during the latter season.

On 14 November 2022, Len Goodman announced during the season 31 semifinals broadcast that he would be retiring from the show to spend more time with his family in Great Britain.

In March and April 2012, Len Goodman hosted a three-part BBC One documentary that was broadcast in the United States by PBS for the 100th anniversary of the voyage and sinking of the RMS Titanic.

Len Goodman hosted Len Goodman's Perfect Christmas on Boxing Day on BBC One.

In October 2014, Len Goodman hosted BBC One show Holiday of My Lifetime.

In 2017 Len Goodman presented a family game show called Partners in Rhyme, based on Matt Edmondson's game, Obama Llama.

In October 2021, Len Goodman made a guest appearance in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as part of a dancing storyline, when his voice was heard, while dance teacher Trish Minniver, portrayed by Denise Welch, was reminiscing.

Between 2013 and 2018, Len Goodman occasionally deputised for Paul O'Grady on his Sunday afternoon music show on BBC Radio 2, playing the music that he had grown up with.

Len Goodman married his dancing partner Cherry Kingston in 1972, but they divorced in 1987.

On 30 December 2012, Len Goodman married his companion of more than ten years, Sue Barrett, a 47-year-old dance teacher, in a small ceremony at Mosimann's, a London dining club.

Len Goodman was a West Ham United fan and was featured on the BBC football show Football Focus on 26 September 2009.

Len Goodman was a keen cricket fan and in May 2009 took part in a celebrity Ashes cricket match in Van Nuys, California.

In March 2009, Len Goodman was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which was treated surgically at a London hospital.

Len Goodman died from bone cancer in a hospice in Royal Tunbridge Wells on 22 April 2023, three days before his 79th birthday.

Queen Camilla paid tribute to Len Goodman, expressing that she was "saddened" by his death.