THE MUCH-LOVED BALLROOM LEGEND LEN GOODMAN DANCING STARS AND ROYALTY PAY TRIBUTE TO NATIONAL TREASURE
REPORT: EMILY HORAN
1944–2023
T he dancing world was in mourning last week after it was announced that ballroom legend Len Goodman had died at the age of 78.
The Queen Consort and Strictly Come Dancing stars past and present led tributes to the much-loved TV personality, who had been diagnosed with bone cancer and passed away on 22 April – just three days before his 79th birthday – at a hospice in Kent, surrounded by his family. He is survived by wife Sue, son James and grandchildren Alice and Dan.
Having served as head judge on the BBC’s hit dance show from 2004 until 2016, Len was known for his sharp wit, dazzling smile and his famous catchphrase – “sev-en!” – when dishing out scores for the dancers.
He was a showbiz force to be reckoned with in the UK and in the US, where he appeared on Dancing with the Stars, the American version of Strictly, for 17 years before retiring late last year.
Len’s star quality left an impression in royal circles, too, after he took the then Duchess of Cornwall for a spin around the dancefloor at the British Dance Council’s 90th anniversary celebrations in London in September 2019.
Camilla is a self-professed Strictly fan, and a statement from Buckingham Palace said: “Her Majesty was saddened to hear the news.”
OUTPOURING OF LOVE
Fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood took to social media to honour his “gorgeous colleague and dear friend”, writing: “Len ‘goody’ Goodman is what I called him and ‘it’s a ten from Len and seveeeeern’ will live with me forever.”
Saying that her “heart is truly broken” by the news, former judge Dame Arlene Phillips shared her own cherished memories on Instagram. “Almost 20 years ago we were both invited to the making of the original pilot of @bbcstrictly,” she wrote. “We made a pact that afternoon we would agree to do the show only if we could both do it. On screen and off screen we worked together, me forever being excitable and Len being cool and casual. The perfect pairing.”
Bruno Tonioli, who starred alongside Len in both Strictly and Dancing with the Stars, described the star as his “dear friend and partner for 19 years”, adding: “I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together.”
Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman also honoured their former co-star. “A brilliant and kind man. Full of twinkle, warmth and wit,” said Claudia, while Tess described him as a “beautiful man, genuine, warm and humble, who left an impression on everyone he
