Len Goodman

Bio:
Len Goodman (born Leonard Gordon Goodman on April 25, 1944 in Bromley, London, England) was an English professional ballroom dancer, dance judge and coach. When Len was six years old, he moved to Blackfen to attend Westwood Secondary Modern School, where he played sports like soccer and cricket. Len began dancing at age 20 as an attempt to recover from a soccer injury. He quickly discovered his talent for dancing. He turned professional, winning various competitions while in his late twenties. In addition to working with his ballroom dance school, Len became a prominent figure in the dance world, appearing as a judge on the dancing competitions Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With The Stars. In 2022, during Season 31 of the dancing competition series, Len Goodman announced his retirement. Sadly, a few months later, in April 2023, he passed away from cancer. In his honor and to celebrate his passion for dance, the show renamed the Mirrorball Trophy to the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Best Known For:
Len was best known for being a dance judge on television series Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With The Stars.

Personal Life:
Len was a passionate golfer and supports the West Ham United soccer club. Len was married to his dancing partner, Cherry Kingston in 1972, before they divorced in 1987. Len had a relationship with a woman who would bear him a son in 1981, James William Goodman. In 2012, Len married dance teacher Sue Barret in a surprise ceremony.