Len Goodman’s cause of death has been confirmed.
The former head judge onDancing with the Starsdied from bone cancer, Goodman’s manager Jackie Gill confirmed toBBC News.
The former professional dancer and dance teacher had been one of the original judges onDWTSsince its debut in 2005. After starring in the series for 20 seasons, he took a break in season 21 before later returning for seasons 22-28. Heofficially retiredfrom the role in 2022.
“Doing a live show you have to be at the top of your game and quick to react. And as one gets older, then things start to get more challenging,” he told PEOPLE at the time. “I haven’t fallen asleep or started dribbling yet on the show, so I thought it’s best to go before I start to do so!”
Len Goodman.Eric McCandless/ABC
Goodman also served as ahead judge onStrictly Come Dancing— the original U.K. version ofDWTS— from2004 to 2016. Outside of television, Goodman — who previously battledprostate cancer— poured into his dance school, Goodman Dance Academy, which he opened in Kent, England.
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“It’s one of my failures,” GoodmantoldThe Guardian in 2012 about marriage. “I’ve tried my best, but I do realize the common denominator is me; it’s something I’m doing. My biggest trouble is that I’m selfish – I only like to do what I want to do. I’ve tried to change that with my Sue [his third wife].”
Goodman, who was 67 at the time of the interview, also told the outlet that the trouble with dying “is that everyone says you were nice. I would like to be thought of as genuinely nice. I would like there to be people who can honestly say: ‘Len! Oh yeah, there was more good than bad in him.'”
source: people.com
