Dancing With the Stars, Judge Len Goodman passed away at the age of 78

 
Len Goodman has passed away. The information was confirmed to the BBC on Monday morning by Jackie Gill, the former Dancing With the Stars judge's manager.

In a statement to the BBC, Gill said, "It is with great sadness that I announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78." A devoted husband, father, and grandfather who will be sadly lost by his loved ones, friends, and everyone he knew.

The BBC said that Goodman passed away on Saturday while receiving hospice care at his home in Kent, England, and was surrounded by his family. It was bone cancer.

Len Goodman will always be remembered as a star in the ballroom dancing community, and ABC and Disney+ were fortunate to have him as a member of our Dancing with the Stars family for 31 seasons, according to a statement to the media made on Monday. He always offered sincere advice and was friendly and caring. We are heartbroken to learn of his passing, and our thoughts are with his family at this extremely trying time.

Up until 2022, Goodman served as a judge on DWTS. From 2004 until 2016, he also served as one of the original judges for the British dancing competition Strictly Come Dancing. He stated at the time that he had made the decision to spend more time with his grandchildren and family in Britain when he announced his resignation from DWTS in November 2022. My Dancing With the Stars family, I can't say enough gratitude to you. For me, it has been such a beautiful experience.

In his 20s, Goodman, a former dancer himself, won the British Championships. He then gave up dancing to pursue a career as a professional judge.

With the caption, "Heart broken my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom legend #lengoodman passed away I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together @bbcstrictly @dancingwiththestars they will never be anyone like you we will miss you, Bruno," fellow DWTS judge Bruno Tonioli shared a touching photo of himself hugging Goodman on Instagram.