Len Goodman Through the Years: The Late ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Judge’s Life in Photos

Credit: ABC/Christopher Willard

Len Goodman Through the Years: The Late 'Dancing With the Stars' Judge's Life in Photos

Remembering a dance legend. After achieving success as a ballroom dancer, Len Goodman found fame as a TV judge on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With the Stars. Goodman — who died in April 2023 at age 78, just three days shy of his 79th birthday — began his career on the dance floor at age 19, when a foot injury (and a go-getter girlfriend) helped pave the way for his lifelong love. “I got into dancing because I had hurt my foot and it just wouldn't get better. I had an old Scottish doctor who told me to go ballroom dancing. He said it was very good for your feet because you're going up and down a lot,” the U.K. native explained to The Guardian in 2006. “My girlfriend arranged for it all to happen. I really didn't want to go, I kicked up a right fuss. But once I'd been for a couple of weeks, I really loved it. I realized I had a bit of a talent for it.” Though the late TV personality “only danced for about eight years,” he explained at the time, his win at the British Championships inspired him to open a dance school. “I thought, ‘Well, I won’t win this again,’ so I thought I’d retire a winner,” Goodman shared. [sendtonews type="float" key="KDQqNplhxw-2828061-14453"] After turning his focus to training students — “I’ve taught every standard from world champion to beginners and my favorite are people off the street, and children, and I do those classes if I can,” he told The Guardian in 2006 — the dance champion scored the role of head judge on BBC’s new dance competition series, Strictly Come Dancing, in 2004. One year later, Goodman took his talents to Dancing With the Stars, the American version of Strictly. He was head judge of each program for over a decade, ending his run on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, 13 years after the show’s premiere. On DWTS, he was a mainstay and fan favorite until he announced his retirement in November 2022 at the end of season 31. He died six months later of bone cancer. In December 2022, one month after announcing his departure from DWTS, Goodman reflected on his life and career. “My dad had the right idea. He loved gardening and he had a stroke while he was out in the garden. He was 79,” the Disney+ alum — who was married twice and a father of one — told the Daily Mail at the time. “So if I go the way of my dad, that'll be next year.” Surmising even more on his obituary, Goodman added: “Just write: 'He was a dance teacher from Dartford who got lucky.’” Keep scrolling to see Goodman’s life in photos:

Credit: ABC/Christopher Willard

Len Goodman Through the Years: The Late 'Dancing With the Stars' Judge's Life in Photos

Remembering a dance legend. After achieving success as a ballroom dancer, Len Goodman found fame as a TV judge on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With the Stars. Goodman — who died in April 2023 at age 78, just three days shy of his 79th birthday — began his career on the dance floor at age 19, when a foot injury (and a go-getter girlfriend) helped pave the way for his lifelong love. “I got into dancing because I had hurt my foot and it just wouldn't get better. I had an old Scottish doctor who told me to go ballroom dancing. He said it was very good for your feet because you're going up and down a lot,” the U.K. native explained to The Guardian in 2006. “My girlfriend arranged for it all to happen. I really didn't want to go, I kicked up a right fuss. But once I'd been for a couple of weeks, I really loved it. I realized I had a bit of a talent for it.” Though the late TV personality “only danced for about eight years,” he explained at the time, his win at the British Championships inspired him to open a dance school. “I thought, ‘Well, I won’t win this again,’ so I thought I’d retire a winner,” Goodman shared. [sendtonews type="float" key="KDQqNplhxw-2828061-14453"] After turning his focus to training students — “I’ve taught every standard from world champion to beginners and my favorite are people off the street, and children, and I do those classes if I can,” he told The Guardian in 2006 — the dance champion scored the role of head judge on BBC’s new dance competition series, Strictly Come Dancing, in 2004. One year later, Goodman took his talents to Dancing With the Stars, the American version of Strictly. He was head judge of each program for over a decade, ending his run on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, 13 years after the show’s premiere. On DWTS, he was a mainstay and fan favorite until he announced his retirement in November 2022 at the end of season 31. He died six months later of bone cancer. In December 2022, one month after announcing his departure from DWTS, Goodman reflected on his life and career. “My dad had the right idea. He loved gardening and he had a stroke while he was out in the garden. He was 79,” the Disney+ alum — who was married twice and a father of one — told the Daily Mail at the time. “So if I go the way of my dad, that'll be next year.” Surmising even more on his obituary, Goodman added: “Just write: 'He was a dance teacher from Dartford who got lucky.’” Keep scrolling to see Goodman’s life in photos:

Credit: ANL/Shutterstock

1972

Goodman tied the knot with his first wife (and dance partner), Cherry Kingston, in 1972. They divorced in 1987.

Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock

1970s

After winning the British Championships, Len opened his own dance school — Goodman Dance Academy — in Dartford, England.

"If they're having a good time, I've done my job. If they're learning to dance at the same time, that's a bonus," he told The Guardian of his dance students in 2006.

Credit: Ray Tang/Shutterstock

1981

After splitting from Kingston, the late Titanic With Len Goodman host dated Lesley Pine. The two welcomed son James William Goodman in 1981. James later followed his father’s footsteps to become a professional dancer.

Len became a grandfather after James welcomed two children.

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

2004

Len became a household name in the U.K. after joining Strictly Come Dancing, serving as the head host on the judge’s panel until leaving the series in 2017.

Credit: ABC/Christopher Willard

2005

The Emmy nominee hopped across the pond to judge DWTS. He flourished in the role for more than 15 years, announcing his retirement in 2022, just six months before his death.

Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock

2008

Len released his memoir, Better Late Than Never: From Barrow Boy to Ballroom.

Credit: Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock

2009

Prior to his death, Len battled cancer multiple times throughout his life. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009 and later revealed that he had melanoma removed from his head in 2020.

Credit: Mark Large/ANL/Shutterstock

2012

Len married his second wife, Sue Goodman (née Barrett).

Credit: ABC/Raymond Liu

2022

Len exited DWTS with a heartfelt speech about his retirement.

“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 stated in November 2022. “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.”

Credit: Richard Barker/Shutterstock

April 2023

Len’s agent, Jackie Gill, confirmed the news of her client’s death in a statement to Us Weekly.

“It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78,” she told Us, adding that he was surrounded by family when he passed away in hospice care in Kent, England, after a battle with bone cancer. “A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”