Len Goodman, well-known for his work on the British television dance show Strictly Come Dancing, and the American version of the show, Dancing with the Stars. Also, he ran a ballroom dance school located in Dartford, Kent.
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| Caption: Picture of Professional dancer, Len Goodman (Photo: people) |
Early Life of Len Goodman
On 25 April 1944, he was born in Farnborough, Kent to parents Louisa Goodman, and Leonard Gordon Goodman. He used to be entrusted with making sure the veggies looked fresh while being pushed about in his grandfather's wheelbarrow.
His family changed locations to Blackfen when he was six years old. Goodman joined Westwood Secondary Modern School, where he played cricket.
Early Career of Goodman
Contrary to the majority of professional dancers, Goodman started dancing only quite late. When his doctor advised dancing as a therapeutic activity to treat a foot ailment, he didn't start working in the area until he was 19 years old.
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| Caption: Picture of Len Goodman dancing (Photo: mirror) |
In his late 20s, Goodman won the British Championships in Blackpool. He then turned professional, won a number of competitions, and finally stopped dancing. In appreciation of his remarkable achievements in dancing, he received the Carl Alan Award. In 2006 and 2007, a program in which he performed was nominated for an Emmy Award in the category of remarkable Reality/Competition Program.
Goodman Work In "Strictly Come Dancing"
From its debut in 2004 until 2016, Goodman served as the show's main judge on BBC One's dancing competition Strictly Come Dancing. He shared a panel alongside Arlene Phillips, Bruno Tonioli, and Craig Revel Horwood; subsequently, Alesha Dixon and Darcey Bussell took Phillips' position.
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| Caption: Len Goodman posing for the picture (Photo: bbc) |
Goodman made the announcement that he will be departing the program at the end of the 2016 season in July. On the Christmas Day Special, he made his last appearance. Shirley Ballas took over as chief judge in place of Goodman, it was announced on May 9, 2017.
Len Goodman's Work In "Dancing with the Stars"
Dancing with the Stars, the American version of Strictly Come Dancing featured Goodman as its lone head judge. Since the show's beginning, he appeared alongside fellow judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, and for five seasons, he has alternated with fourth judges Julianne Hough and Derek Hough.
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| Caption: Len Goodman with his co-stars (Photo: pennlive) |
In seasons 21 and 29, he did not serve as a judge, but in the latter season, he did deliver brief dance-related pieces. In order to spend more time with his British family, Goodman stated during the season 31 semifinals broadcast on November 14, 2022, that he would be leaving the program.
Goodman's Television Career
In the children's show Auto-B-Good, which has won five Emmy Awards, Goodman provided the voice of Professor in 2005. He served as one of the UK's commentators in the Eurovision Dance Contest in both 2007 and 2008. Goodman was the host of a three-part BBC One program that was aired in the US by PBS in March and April 2012 to commemorate the RMS Titanic's journey and disaster 100 years earlier. On Boxing Day on BBC One, he also served as host of Len Goodman's Perfect Christmas. The BBC Four three-part series Dancing Cheek to Cheek was hosted by Goodman and Lucy Worsley in November and December 2013. Goodman presided over the BBC One program Holiday of My Lifetime in October 2014.
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| Caption: Len Goodman posing for the picture (Photo: media) |
Goodman and chef Ainsley Harriott hosted the 10-part BBC program Len and Ainsley's Big Food Adventure in November 2015, which explored international food in England and Wales. Based on Matt Edmondson's game Obama Llama, Goodman presented a family game program called Partners in Rhyme in 2017. As part of a dancing plotline in the October 2021 episode of the Channel 4 serial series Hollyoaks, Goodman had a cameo appearance. His voice was overheard as dance instructor Trish Minniver, played by Denise Welch, was reflecting on the past.
Len Goodman Net Worth
At the time of his death, Len Goodman's net worth estimated around $18 million.
Len Goodman Wife
At the time of his death, Len Goodman was happily married to his 2nd wife Sue Goodman. They got married on 30 December 2012 in a private wedding ceremony. Before their marriage, the duo know each other for more than ten years. His wife Sue, worked as a dance teacher. Sadly, the duo's marriage ended with Goodman's death. Previously, he was married to his dancing partner Cherry Kingston in 1972.
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| Caption: Len Goodman with his 2nd wife Sue Goodman (Photo: thesun) |
Sadly, the duo's marriage life ended in 1987 with the divorce. Then, Goodman had a long-term relationship with a woman named Lesley. Out of their relationship, they became parents of a son James William Goodman, born on 26 January 1981. When his parents divorced, he relocated with his mother back to her home Isle of Wight at 12 years old. In 2015, Goodman's became grandparents Alice was born through his son James, and four years later, in 2019, his grandson Dan was born.
Len Goodman Death
Goodman was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2009 and treated surgically at a London hospital. In 2020, he underwent surgery to remove a small facial melanoma.
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| Caption: Picture of Len Goodman (Photo: thenational) |
However, Goodman's cause of death from bone cancer in a hospice in Royal Tunbridge Wells. On 22 April 2023, he passed away three days before his 79th birthday.
Len Goodman Height
Len Goodman had a height of 6 feet 1.83 m tall.
