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‘Dancing With The Stars’ judge Len Goodman Dies At 78
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Len Goodman, a beloved judge on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing,” has passed away at the age of 78.
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Goodman's agent, Jackie Gill, announced that he had died peacefully on Saturday night after being diagnosed with bone cancer.
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As a former professional ballroom dancer and British champion, Goodman helped revive interest in ballroom dancing on both sides of the Atlantic.
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For 12 years, Goodman was the head judge on “Strictly Come Dancing,” a dance competition that pairs celebrities with professional dance partners.
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Goodman's pithy observations, delivered in a Cockney accent, endeared him to viewers of both “Strictly Come Dancing” and the U.S. version of the show, “Dancing With the Stars.”
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The British and American shows were both judged by Goodman simultaneously each autumn, which required him to criss-cross the Atlantic weekly.
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Queen consort Camilla expressed her sadness at Goodman's passing, as she is a fan of “Strictly Come Dancing” and danced with Goodman at a 2019 event celebrating the British Dance Council.
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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman described Goodman as a “great entertainer” who would be “missed by many.”
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British broadcaster Esther Rantzen said that Goodman was “astonished and delighted” by his late-life fame.
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Goodman was firm but fair, funny but a gentleman, and he will be remembered fondly by the nation.
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Goodman presented BBC radio programs and made TV documentaries, including a 2012 program about the sinking of the Titanic.
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As a young man, Goodman worked as a shipyard welder for the company that built the doomed ship.
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Goodman was also a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to dance.
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He owned the Goodman Academy dance school in southern England, which helped to train future generations of ballroom dancers.
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Goodman appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family.
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His warmth, humor, and expertise will be missed by the public and his many friends and family.
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Goodman was a quintessentially British figure, and one of the reasons for his success in the United States was his unique charm and wit.
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His legacy as a judge and ambassador for ballroom dancing will live on for years to come.
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Len Goodman was a national treasure, and his passing is a great loss for the world of dance and entertainment.
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We will remember Len Goodman for his kindness, his humor, and his dedication to the art of ballroom dancing.