24 April 2023 , 09:55
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Before his death, Len Goodman made a touching sacrifice to spend more time with his grandchildren.
UK audiences best know Len from his time on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2016, but he actually spent longer on US version Dancing With The Stars.
The 78-year-old, who has tragically passed away from bone cancer, became famous for his 'sevEN' catchphrase and delighted Strictly fans for 12 years.
But then decided that he could no longer do both version of the dancing competition, revealing that he wanted to spend more time with his young granddaughter.
nsisting he was "only a cog in the Strictly wheel", he said: "It's really nice people say we’re going to miss you and I'd rather they say that than, 'Thank God you're going'.
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(S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)"But I've done it for 12 years. I want to spend a bit more time with my family. I just think it's time to move on.
"I've got lots of interesting things to come, I’m sure people will ask me to do other little jobs, and I've got my granddaughter to play with. I'm going to have a lovely time."
Len's first grandchild was Alice, who is the daughter of his only son James, a dance teacher at his Kent dancing school.
"Alice is so lovely, I can’t stop looking at her," said Len in 2016. "If I go off to America, I won’t see Alice."
The former Strictly judge also has a grandson, Dan, who is four year's younger than Alice.
Speaking in May last year, Len said: "When you get to a certain age, you realise the most important thing is family. My son James and his wife Sophie are lovely, and I've got two wonderful grandchildren, Alice, seven, and Dan, three . They're terrific
in November last year he announced he had decided to quit Dancing With The Stars so he could come back to the UK to spend more time with his family.
Revealing the series finale would be his last show, he told the audience: "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 on Dancing With The Stars (ABC via Getty Images)During the semi-final, Len made the surprise announcement to the audience and fellow judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, who stood up and gathered around their colleague.
Addressing the audience with a tear in his eye, he 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.
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"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.
"I cannot thank you enough, the Dancing With the Stars family. It's been such a wonderful experience for me and I'm looking forward so much to next week's finale. I'm sure it's gonna be absolutely brilliant."
The head judge later explained that he would miss spending time in LA but had decided it was time to stay permanently in the UK.
"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.
"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!"
"I will miss the California sunshine, working with my fellow judges and the camaraderie with everyone on the show," he adds. "I'll miss seeing the celebrities developing into dancers and I will miss being part of one of the most successful shows on TV."