‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pros and More Mourn Len Goodman’s Death: Carrie Ann Inaba and More

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'Dancing With the Stars' Pros and More Mourn Len Goodman's Death: Carrie Ann Inaba and More

A 10 in their eyes. Len Goodman was honored by Carrie Ann Inaba and more of his Dancing With the Stars family following his death. "A Dancer. A teacher. A refined gentleman. A wonderful storyteller. A special soul. A mentor. A family man. And… A treasured friend," Inaba, 55, captioned a loving tribute to her former colleague via Instagram on Monday, April 24. "Saying goodbye at the end of last season broke my heart. But today's news has shattered it all over again. I can't believe that you’re gone. 💔 You were one of a kind my dear friend. And I will cherish our memories and hold them close, while I join so many others in mourning your loss." The Hawaii native added: "Thank you for all that you shared with us. Your humor, your wisdom, your wit and your truth. Until we meet again…✨ Rest In Peace Len 🤍." Along with Goodman, the In Living Color alum was one of the original three judges on the reality dance competition, which premiered on ABC in 2005. Goodman served as head judge with Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, missing parts of season 19 and 23 and all of season 21 and 29. (Derek Hough was tapped to fill in during the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic.) [sendtonews type="float" key="KDQqNplhxw-2828061-14453"] Goodman's agent confirmed on Monday that he died two days prior at a hospice in Kent, England. He was 78. "A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him," read a statement to Us Weekly. The late TV personality previously announced his departure from DWTS, which now airs on Disney+, in November 2022 after season 31. "I've been with the show since it started in 2005 and it has been a huge pleasure to be part of such a wonderful show, but I've decided I would like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain," he said at the time. "I cannot thank you enough, the Dancing With the Stars family, it's been such a wonderful experience for me and I'm looking forward so much to next week's finale." Inaba continued to mourn the loss of her fellow DWTS judge via social media on Monday, revealing when she learned of his death. "Just after 2:15am, I received the news that our Len Goodman had passed away," she wrote via her Instagram Story. "I am deeply saddened and in shock. Like many of you, I'm broken hearted. 💔." She concluded: "He wouldn't want us to be sad. ... Think of one of your favorite Len-isms, and remember him fondly. And then turn on your favorite tune, grab the person next to you and dance. 💕 I think he'd like that." Goodman is survived by wife Sue Barrett and his son, James William Goodman, whom he welcomed with an ex. Scroll down to see how Goodman's DWTS family reacted to his death:

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Bruno Tonioli

"Hart broken [sic] my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom LEGEND #LenGoodman passed away I will treasure the memories of our adventures @bbcstrictly @officialdwts there will never be anyone like you you will always be my perfect 10❤️," the Italian choreographer shared via social media alongside a photo of the pair hugging.

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Carrie Ann Inaba

The former cohost of The Talk uploaded a heartwarming montage of moments with Len, whom she described as "a refined gentleman" and "treasured friend." She wrote: "Saying goodbye at the end of last season broke my heart. But today's news has shattered it all over again. I can't believe that you're gone. 💔."

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Tom Bergeron

"A Good Man, indeed. 😞 #rip," Bergeron, who hosted DWTS from 2005 to 2019, captioned an Instagram tribute. 

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Lindsay Arnold

The So You Think You Can Dance alum addressed the "heartbreaking" news via her Instagram Story. "The sweetest man and truly the heart of the show! Rest in peace Len ❤️," she wrote, adding that she would "never forget" the memories they shared.

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Keo Motsepe

"Rest well Sir Len. You will be missed 💔 #Legend #thankyou #Rip," the South African dancer wrote via Instagram.

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Kym Johnson-Herjavec

The Aussie ballroom pro, who appeared on DWTS from 2006 to 2015, gushed over Len via Instagram. "Heartbroken 💔 Heavens gates are covered in 10 paddles and mirror balls today," she wrote. "Nothing made you feel better than getting a 10 from Len. He was a class act with a cheeky grin and quick wit. You will be so missed. Rest In Peace sweet Len."

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Emmitt Smith

The former NFL athlete, who took home the mirrorball trophy on season 3 in 2006, tweeted: "Woke up to the sad news of Len Goodman passing this morning. With great love and respect to a good and judge. Condolences to his family! Dance in heaven my friend. ❤️."

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Mark Cuban

"RIP Len Goodman, you are a legend who made people around the world smile and dance," the Shark Tank star, who competed on season 5 in 2007, tweeted. 

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Derek Hough

"'Hold my gaze.' Heart broken by the news of our dear friend and mentor Len Goodman. It's a gloomy morning here in Los Angeles which seems fitting after this heart breaking news. But when I think back at the memories we all shared with Len, his sense of humor, his smile and charm everything feels much brighter and full of sunshine," the former DWTS pro and current judge captioned a photo of him smiling with Len. "Still hard to fully process but filled with gratitude knowing I had the privilege of working beside this absolute legend."

He added: "We will miss you dearly Len. We love you ❤️ Rest In Peace my friend."

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Julianne Hough

The Footloose actress — who is returning to cohost DWTS season 32 — recalled meeting Len at 10 years old in a lengthy Instagram message. "To all the rules I broke on the dance floor that you were stern about but then would see me back stage and tell me you loved it. To then have sat by your side as a judge, rather partner, for so many years creating so many inside jokes and memories in the ballroom and outside of the ballroom, was and will be a sacred part of my life that I'll always cherish," she wrote. "The wisdom, playfulness, and class that radiated from you touched all of us with such impact."

Julianne noted that she was "forever grateful" for Len's influence in her career, adding, "What an honor it has been to have been a part of your wonderful life. You're a legend and left a beautiful legacy. I love you forever. Sending all my love to your family and especially 'your Sue' 🤍🕊️🕺🪩."

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Alan Bersten

Bersten shared a photo from season 30 of DWTS with partner Amanda Kloots and Len in the rehearsal studio. "Absolutely heartbroken by passing of Len Goodman. 💔 there was no better feeling than making him smile. When you got a 10 from Len you knew it was because you did something special and that made it feel even better," he wrote.

The choreographer added: "@amandakloots just reminded me of one of the best things I've ever heard and it was from Len. He said 'dance is an outward expression of an inner emotion'. That's something I will cherish for all of my days. RIP Len. 💔."

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Sharna Burgess

The Aussie dancer told fans she hoped Len would "save a dance" for her whenever they crossed paths next. "10 paddles all around for you my friend. What an incredible impact you had on the Ballroom Dancing industry and those of us lucky enough to work with you. You helped bring our art form to the world in a new way, you helped us show how beautiful and special it is… how cool it could be," she wrote via Instagram. "Thank you for always reminding us where we came from, for always authentically being yourself, for all the tough love and especially for the 10's. A 10 from you was just about the greatest feeling we could hope for on show day."