Len Goodman, 'Dancing With The Stars' Judge, Dead At 78

Len Goodman, the urbane, long-serving decide on “Dancing With the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing,” had died, his agent mentioned Monday. He was 78.

Agent Jackie Gill mentioned Goodman “handed away peacefully.” He had been identified with bone most cancers.

Len Goodman had been identified with bone most cancers.

Christopher Willard by way of Getty Pictures

A former skilled ballroom dancer and British champion, Goodman was a decide on “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years from its launch on the BBC in 2004. The dance competitors, which pairs celebrities with skilled dance companions, was a shock hit and has change into one of many community’s hottest reveals.

Goodman was head decide on the U.S. model of the present, ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” for 15 years till his retirement in November. For a number of years he additionally offered BBC radio packages and made TV documentaries, together with a 2012 program concerning the sinking of the Titanic. As a younger man, Goodman had labored as a shipyard welder for the corporate that constructed the doomed ship.

BBC director-general Tim Davie mentioned Goodman was “an exquisite, heat entertainer who was adored by tens of millions. He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everybody’s household. Len was on the very coronary heart of Strictly’s success. He will probably be massively missed by the general public and his many family and friends.”

Goodman was additionally a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in recognition of excellent contributions to bop, and owned the Goodman Academy dance faculty in southern England.