Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman dies aged 78 surrounded by his family
Strictly Come Dancing legend Len Goodman has died aged 78 from bone cancer, with the Camilla Parker Bowles and the UK Prime Minister paying tribute to the TV legend following his death being announced.
The late star had been residing in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells in Kent before passing away on Saturday.
A statement from his agent today said: "It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78.
"A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him."
Buckingham Palace said the Queen Consort was saddened to learn of Len Goodman’s death. "Her Majesty was saddened to hear the news," a spokesperson said earlier today.
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Tributes have been pouring in for Len amid the sad news breaking this morning, with Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman tweeting: "I’m so sad about Len. He was one of a kind, a brilliant and kind man. Full of twinkle, warmth and wit. Sending all love to his family and friends. X."
Craig Revel Horwood, who sat on the Strictly judging panel alongside Len for many years, tweeted: "I’ve just woken up to the sad news that my gorgeous colleague and dear friend Len Goodman has passed away.
"My heart and love go out to his lovely Sue and family. Len Goody Goodman is what I always called him and “It’s a ten from Len & seveeeeern”will live with me forever. RIP Len."
Lorraine Kelly was live on ITV presenting her daytime TV show as the heartbreaking news was announced, with the Scottish presenter breaking the "very, very sad news" to her ITV viewers live on-air.
Giovanni Pernice, a professional dancer on Strictly, was one of the first stars from the BBC show to pay tribute online, sharing a picture to his Instagram Stories and writing: "RIP legend [sad face emoji]."
The Strictly Come Dancing legend would have turned 79 tomorrow (PA)Former Strictly judge and Britain's Got Talent star Bruno Tonioli said he will "treasure" the memories of the "incredible adventures and hundreds of shows2 he took part in with fellow judge Len in response to his death.
In an Instagram post, Bruno wrote, "Hart (sic) 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."
Len had been enjoying his retirement over recent months (FACEBOOK)Former Strictly star Brendan Cole emotionally paid tribute to Len on live TV just minutes after the new broke earlier today, telling Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: "I think it's sad for the entire nation and of course for his children and grandchildren. Obviously, he's only just retired to spend more time with his grandchildren and we've sadly lost him.
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"As a personality, Len was massive, not just as a TV judge but as a person. A lovely man, with a bite, which I love. It's very sad. It's a part of TV history, the ultimate judge, he knew exactly what to say.
Speaking on This Morning today, Brendan added: "When to be the good cop, when to be the bad cop, just full of love. The smile, the energy he bought, Strictly is not the same without him. He was an amazing man."
Len was last pictured in public at a celebrity golf match in JulyLen was just six months into his retirement at the time of death and had been due to celebrate his 79th birthday tomorrow [April 25].
Discussing his retirement plans with a tear in his eye during his last TV appearance in November, Len said: "Whilst we're all getting excited and looking forward so much to the finale next week, it will also be with a touch of sadness as this will be my last season judging on Dancing with the Stars.
"I've been with the show since it started in 2005 and it has been a huge pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful show, but I've decided I'd like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain."
Len was pictured smiling during his final public appearance at a showbiz event last year, as he attended the Celebrity Golf Classic at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire in July.
The former Strictly judge – who quit the show in 2016 – was famed for his role on the hit BBC show, which he held since the show began in 2004.
Len's former co-stars have been paying tribute to the late dancer (Popperfoto via Getty Images)The English professional dancer quit BBC series Strictly after 12 years on the show, but stayed on the US version.
Former Strictly judge Alesha Dixon called Len "a true gentleman and one of a kind" in response to the news her fellow judge has died.
In an Instagram Story post, the Britain's Got Talent star wrote: "So sad to hear that the wonderful Len has passed away. “A true gentleman and one of a kind. “He always made me feel so welcome and we laughed a lot!
"He made my time on Strictly Come Dancing as a contestant & judge a truly wonderful experience. “Rest in peace my friend. Sending my love and condolences to his family."
Current judge Shirley Ballas took to Twitter to share a string of tributes to Len this afternoon, beginning with: "What extremely sad news this morning. As I came off Good Morning Britain I heard of the passing of my dearest friend Len Goodman. My past teacher, a dance legend and a true gentlemen. He was a shining star in the ballroom that everyone loved.
Shirley wrote an emotional tribute on Twitter (ITV)"He was funny, kind and quick witted. He always found the best way to give couples feedback. My heart is full of memories with him. Thank you for all the years in the ballroom, for your dedication to the art of ballroom dancing, for all your advice over the years. …"
She continued to add: "for teaching @CorkyBallas and I and helping us to win so many championships. For believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I’ll hold your memory deep in my heart.
"My heart goes out to Len’s wife Sue, his beautiful family and all who knew him. Love you Len. RIP Xx."
Rishi Sunak also paid tribute to Len following the news of his death breaking, with he Prime Minister’s spokesman saying: "He was a great entertainer and popular face on TV screens up and down the country as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing. He will be missed by many and our condolences go to his friends and family."
Len had been staying in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, when he died on Saturday evening.
The telly star and radio presenter was born in Bromley, Kent towards the end of the Second World War in 1944 to Leonard Gordon Goodman, an electrician, and Louisa Adelaide Eldridge.
In addition to Strictly, Len also appeared on Dancing With The Stars in America (ABC via Getty Images)Len's father and step-mother Irene encouraged him into dancing. The gifted stepper started ballroom dancing at the age of 19 before becoming professional.
He claimed victory in various competitions across the nation during his 20s.
The dancer and his partner Cherry even won the British Exhibition Championships in Blackpool four times before retiring and hanging up his dancing shoes in the early 1970s.
Len’s years of dancing took a toll his body however, and he was plagued for years by arthritis.
The star even had a partial knee replacement in 2015. But with his “the show must go on” mentality, he refused take a week off from Strictly after the surgery, instead appearing on the show with crutches.
He was also secretly treated for prostate cancer in 2009 while filming strictly, but kept the diagnosis a secret from all but his close family and friends.
After his operation, Len revealed in an interview with the Mail on Sunday: “I could have said ‘sorry’ and not done the show, but the doctors felt I wasn’t riddled with it and it wasn’t so far advanced that it was a life-or-death scenario.
“It takes a few weeks to get everything set up for the operation anyway, so I went ahead and did the show. I had the surgery done as soon as I got back from America.”
Explaining why he chose not to tell anyone at the BBC, Len said: “People generally think ‘bloody hell’. With all the hoo-ha about Strictly coming up, I thought, ‘Just my luck, they won’t want that old f**t on it, the cancer-riddled, bed-ridden old so-and–so’.
Len's heartbroken co-stars have been sharing their memories of the star following his death (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
Celebrities away from the world of Strictly Come Dancing have also been paying tribute (Twitter/ @piersmorgan)Famous for his familiar “Seven!” score, the head judge was a firm favourite on the dancing show.
He warmed the nations’ hearts on Saturday nights thanks to his witty one-liners ad light-hearted banter with the contestants.
The star made his final appearance on the Christmas Day special in 2016 when he left his role to enjoy his twilight years.
Len also served as head judge on Dancing With The Stars, the US version of the show, for more than 15 years until announcing his retirement in November last year.
He said at the time that he wanted to “spend more time with my grandchildren and family” back in the UK.
After bowing out from the show, Len lived out his days with his second wife, Sue, at their home in Kent, where they ran their own ballroom dancing school along with Goodman’s son, James.
Since retiring from Strictly, Len kept busy and continued to entertain the nation on their telly screens with appearances on Who Do You Think You Are, Desert Island Discs, Holiday of My Lifetime and Len and Ainsley’s big Food Adventure with pal Ainsley Harriott.
Len's many colleagues from over the years are heartbroken after learning of Len's deathLen leaves behind his wife Sue, who he married in 2012 in a surprise ceremony.
The couple invited 30 family and friends under the guise of a nice Sunday lunch before revealing he’d proposed to the dance teacher who he’d been dating for over a decade.
He also leaves behind his son James, from a previous relationship.
As the news of Len's death broke, celebrities rushed to social media to pay tribute to the late star and share their memories.
Strictly judge Anton Du Beke shared a picture of himself and Len and shared a lengthy statement when mourning the loss of his dear friend on Instagram this afternoon.
"I first knew him when I was a young lad and was dancing, he was my dance judge. Len was different to anyone else in the dancing business – he was a wonderful character, he had a roguishness about him - he had twinkle," Anton wrote within the tribute to Len.
Anton shared a moving and emotional tribute to Len on Instagram"He had a way about him that you really wanted him to like you. If Len liked you, it was more important than anyone else liking you."
Piers Morgan posted a snap of himself posing with Len on the set of Good Morning Britain on Twitter, writing: "More very sad news from the world of entertainment… RIP Len Goodman, 78 - welder, dancer, judge, and devoted cricket & West Ham fan.
"Always had a laugh with Len, and swapped a few strong opinions. A quintessential Londoner and a top bloke."
Comedian Kathy Burke added: "Len Goodman’s Desert Island Discs is a gorgeous, uplifting listen. RIP." Desert Island Discs host Lauren Laverne echoed Kathy's sentiments and shared a link to Len's chat with Kirsty Young from the BBC Radio show' archives.
Retired boxer Frank Bruno told his Twitter followers: "RIP Len Goodman this is a shock he was the man we all thought was indestructible met him several times he said he would personally give me some dance lessons if I ever got Strictly really sad."
Len was a popular man with many celebrities (Twitter/ @mrdanwalker)Russell Grant, who competed on Strictly in 2011, wrote: "The wonderful Len Goodman has left us. He was so kind and lovely to me when I was on @bbcstrictly and we met on other programmes including his own filmed at BBC Glasgow.
"The word legend is overused but Len and his 'SEVEN' became a catchphrase across UK & USA. A true character."
Channel 5 News anchor and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Dan Walker described the late star as an "incredible man & an extraordinary talent" as he paid tribute on Twitter this morning.
Sharing a collection of snaps of himself with Len, Dan wrote: "So sad to hear about the death of Len Goodman. He was an incredible man & an extraordinary talent.
"Loved making telly with him, being daft with him, playing golf with him & will never forget the little tips he would send every week on Strictly. All my love to his family ."
Former This Morning presenter Eamonn Homes took to Instagram to share a picture of himself enjoying a pint of Guinness in a pub with Len as he paid tribute to his late friend.
Former Strictly star Brendan spoke on This Morning just minutes after it was announced Len had died (ITV)He captioned the image: "This sort of post is sadly becoming too regular. Len Goodman gone . What an impeccable man in the way he danced the way he was groomed.
"This is us in an Irish pub in Cushendall in The Glens of Antrim . We laughed all day . Total Gentleman."
Martine McCutheon commented: "I agree, too many good ones leaving us and at all sorts of ages too. RIP Len. X."
Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, said in a statement this morning: "Len Goodman was a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions. He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of Strictly's success.
"He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family."
Kate Phillips, BBC Director of Unscripted, added to the tributes this morning, saying: "This is such terribly sad news. Len was a much loved member of the Strictly family and from the very beginning he was integral to its success.
'Kind, charming, exacting, encouraging & danced like a dream,' one the tributes to Len read this morning (Len Goodman/Instagram)"He always brought so much invaluable expertise and entertainment to the show and on a personal note Len was very kind to me and everyone who worked with him, always making time for a chat. I can't quite believe he's gone and we'll never have a Ten from Len again."
Former Strictly contestant and Good Morning Britain presenter Robert Rinder also shared his memories of Len, tweeting: "A rare gentleman: Kind, charming, exacting, encouraging & danced like a dream. .. Thank you for bringing so much joy.
"RIP Len Goodman.. It’s a 10 from us all."
Strictly judge Darcey Bussell said she was “very sad” to hear about the death of fellow judge Len as she tweeted: "Very sad to hear about the death of dear wonderful gentleman, Len Goodman. “My heart goes out to his family & dear Sue.
"He gave me such support on my time at Strictly. “I feel so lucky to have worked with such a professional, funny loveable man. Thank you for the special memories x."
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