Ex-Strictly head judge Len Goodman dies at 78

By Paul Glynn

Entertainment reporter

Former Strictly Come Dancing head judge Len Goodman has died at the age of 78.

He died on Saturday at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, surrounded by his family. He had had bone cancer.

Tributes have poured in from the likes of Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman, who called Goodman “a class act”, as well as former judges Dame Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli.

Besides Strictly, Goodman also appeared on the US version of the show, Dancing with the Stars from 2005 until 2022.

A former dancer himself, he featured on Strictly from its launch in 2004 until 2016 and proved popular with viewers for his wry humour and avuncular critiques.

His enthusiastic delivery when awarding a score of seven points effectively turned the number into his catchphrase, along with “it’s a 10 from Len” for those even more deserving contestants on the popular celebrity dancing show.

Strictly’s longest-serving judge, Craig Revel Horwood, referenced that showmanship while paying tribute on Monday, describing Goodman as a “gorgeous colleague and dear friend”.

“Len Goody Goodman is what I always called him and ‘It’s a ten from Len & seveeeeern’ will live with me forever,” he added.

Winkleman told BBC News: “There was nobody like him because he was so humble.

“He was adorable – on camera, off camera, and to everybody who took part.”

Her co-host Tess Daly agreed that Goodman was “a beautiful man, genuine, warm and humble, who left an impression on everyone he met”.

“I’ll never forget the fun we had on set, his love and passion for dancing and that wonderfully cheeky smile lit up the screen,” she posted on social media.

“You were never a 7 for me, Len you were always a 10.”

Tonioli shared a picture of him and Goodman together, declaring: “There will never be anyone like you. You will always be my perfect 10.”

Shirley Ballas said that her “past teacher” was a “dance legend” and “a true gentleman” as well as a “shining star in the ballroom that everyone loved.”

Dame Darcey, meanwhile, noted how Goodman “gave me such support on my time at Strictly and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with such a professional, funny and loveable man”.

Former Strictly contestant Susanna Reid said the news of Goodman’s death was “such an awful shock and so sad”.

“Len was an absolute legend and the definition of a proper gent. He was a beautiful man with a huge sense of humour who had such a mischievous turn of phrase.”

She said she would never forget the time he described her Samba as being “all bounce, bum and bongos”.

:: “You floated across that floor like butter on a crumpet.”

:: “It was like watching a stork who’d been struck by lightning.”

:: “You were like a chess master – you plotted your way around that floor. That was a mango of a tango. Delicious.”

:: “For me, you can’t waft enough.”

As well as the world of showbiz, tributes also came on Monday from both the British Royal family and UK government.

Camilla, the Queen Consort, was “saddened to hear the news”, according to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described Goodman as “a great entertainer, a popular face on TV screens up and down the country”.

“He will be missed by many and our condolences go to his friends and family,” he added.

Goodman grew up in east London and began dancing at 19, after a doctor told him it would be good exercise for his injured foot.

The one-time welder went on to win the British Championships in his late 20s, after which he retired to become a teacher and choreographer, opening his own dance school, the Goodman Academy in Dartford, Kent.

He was the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing from its inception, and made his final appearance on the 2016 Christmas Day special.

“When I was first asked to do the programme I wasn’t sure, because I thought it might be a bit of a mickey-take,” he once told the Guardian. “But I’m so glad I did it, because it’s dispelled the preconception about what dance classes or schools are like.

“The programme has changed things in dancing schools like you can’t imagine. Everyone has had huge influxes of people coming to dance. It’s absolutely brilliant.”

Goodman also served as head judge on Dancing With The Stars for more than 15 years, announcing his retirement in November last year saying he wanted to “spend more time with my grandchildren and family” in the UK.

A keen Music enthusiast, he was also a regular stand-in for the late Paul O’Grady on his BBC Radio 2 show.

BBC director general Tim Davie was among those paying tribute, saying he was “a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions”.

“He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family,” he said. “Len was at the very heart of Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family.”

Goodman, who was a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to dance, also had a love of cricket and West Ham United Football Club.

A statement from his manager, Jackie Gill, on Monday described him as “a much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”

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