{"id":2673,"date":"2023-04-24T16:06:17","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T16:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/?p=2673"},"modified":"2023-04-24T16:07:33","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T16:07:33","slug":"remebering-the-life-of-len-goodman-former-dancing-with-the-stars-judge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/2023\/04\/remebering-the-life-of-len-goodman-former-dancing-with-the-stars-judge.html","title":{"rendered":"Remembering the Life of Len Goodman, Former “Dancing With The Stars” Judge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Len Goodman, a longtime judge of \u201cDancing with the Stars,\u201d died after a bone cancer bout at 78 years old. According to a statement from his agent Jackie Gill, Goodman was \u201ca much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.\u201d According to the BBC, Goodman was surrounded by his family at a hospice in Kent, England.<\/p>\n

Goodman served as head judge on \u201cStrictly Come Dancing\u201d for 12 years after its launch on the BBC in 2004 but left the show in 2016. As a British champion and former professional ballroom dancer, Goodman started his job on \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d in 2005. He was beloved and endearing, known for his harsh criticism and cheeky one-liners.<\/p>\n

For several years he judged the British and American shows simultaneously every fall, crisscrossing the Atlantic weekly. Goodman also presented BBC radio programs and made TV documentaries, including a 2012 program about the sinking of the Titanic. As a young man, Goodman worked as a shipyard welder for the company that built the doomed ship.<\/p>\n

A fellow \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d judge, Bruno Tonioli, shared a touching tribute to Goodman on Instagram<\/a>. He wrote, along with several heart emojis, \u201cHeartbroken, 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. There will never be anyone like you; we will miss you.\u201d<\/p>\n