Len Goodman was a prominent figure in the world of ballroom dancing, renowned for his expertise as a dancer, teacher, and judge. He gained widespread recognition through his role as head judge on the popular television shows "Strictly Come Dancing" in the UK and "Dancing with the Stars" in the US. His tenure on "Strictly Come Dancing" spanned from its inception in 2004 until 2016, while he judged "Dancing with the Stars" from 2005 to 2022. In addition to his television appearances, Goodman also operated a ballroom dance school in Dartford, Kent, further solidifying his influence in the dance community.
April 1944: Early Life and Upbringing
Len Goodman was born in April 1944 and spent his childhood in Bethnal Green and later Blackfen.
April 1944: Birth of Len Goodman
Len Goodman was born in Farnborough, Kent, in April 1944.
1972: Marriage to Cherry Kingston
Len Goodman married his dance partner, Cherry Kingston, in 1972.
January 1981: Birth of Son, James
Len Goodman's son, James William Goodman, was born in January 1981.
1987: Divorce from Cherry Kingston
Len Goodman and Cherry Kingston divorced in 1987.
2004: Start of Strictly Come Dancing Journey
Len Goodman began his role as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004.
2004: Strictly Come Dancing Debut
Len Goodman began his tenure as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004.
2005: Dancing with the Stars Debut
Len Goodman started as head judge on Dancing with the Stars in 2005.
2005: Voice Acting Role in Auto-B-Good
Len Goodman voiced Professor in the children's program Auto-B-Good in 2005.
2006: Emmy Nomination and Carl Alan Award
In 2006, Len Goodman received the Carl Alan Award and a show he appeared in was nominated for an Emmy.
2006: Winning "The Weakest Link"
Len Goodman won the all-singing/all-dancing version of "The Weakest Link" in 2006, donating the winnings to charity.
2007: Eurovision Dance Contest Commentary
Len Goodman commentated for the Eurovision Dance Contest in 2007.
2007: Emmy Nomination
A show featuring Len Goodman was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2007.
2008: Eurovision Dance Contest Commentary
Len Goodman commentated for the Eurovision Dance Contest in 2008.
2008: Autobiography Publication
Len Goodman's autobiography, "Better Late Than Never", was published in 2008.
March 2009: Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
In March 2009, Len Goodman was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery at a London hospital.
May 2009: Celebrity Ashes Cricket Match
Len Goodman participated in a celebrity Ashes cricket match in May 2009.
October 2011: Appearance on Who Do You Think You Are?
In October 2011, Len Goodman appeared on the BBC genealogy documentary series "Who Do You Think You Are?" In the episode, he explored his family history and discovered that his great-great-grandfather was a Polish silk-weaver and recipient of the Virtuti Militari.
April 2012: Titanic Documentary
Len Goodman hosted a BBC/PBS documentary about the RMS Titanic in April 2012.
December 2012: Marriage to Sue Barrett
Len Goodman married Sue Barrett in December 2012.
2012: James Goodman Starts Dancing
Len Goodman's son, James, started dancing at his father's dance center in 2012.
December 2013: Presentation of Dance-Related Shows
Len Goodman presented "Len Goodman's Dance Band Days", "Len Goodman's Perfect Christmas", and "Dancing Cheek to Cheek" in December 2013.
2013: Radio Presenting on BBC Radio 2
Len Goodman began occasionally filling in for Paul O'Grady on BBC Radio 2 in 2013.
August 2014: Appearance on "Secrets from the Clink"
Len Goodman participated in the ITV documentary "Secrets from the Clink" in August 2014.
October 2014: Hosting "Holiday of My Lifetime"
Len Goodman began hosting the BBC show "Holiday of My Lifetime" in October 2014.
November 2015: Co-hosting "Len and Ainsley's Big Food Adventure"
Len Goodman and Ainsley Harriott co-presented the BBC show "Len and Ainsley's Big Food Adventure" in November 2015.
2015: Birth of Granddaughter
Len Goodman became a grandfather in 2015 with the birth of his granddaughter, Alice.
February 2016: Second Series of "Holiday of My Lifetime"
Len Goodman returned for a second series of "Holiday of My Lifetime" in February 2016.
July 2016: Announcement of Departure from Strictly
Len Goodman announced his departure from Strictly Come Dancing in July 2016.
2016: Departure from Strictly Come Dancing
Len Goodman departed from Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.
May 2017: Shirley Ballas Announced as Successor
Shirley Ballas was announced as Len Goodman's successor on Strictly Come Dancing in May 2017.
2017: Presenting "Partners in Rhyme"
Len Goodman presented the game show "Partners in Rhyme" in 2017.
2018: End of Deputizing for Paul O'Grady
Len Goodman's stints deputizing for Paul O'Grady concluded in 2018.
2019: Birth of Grandson
Len Goodman's grandson, Dan, was born in 2019.
2020: Melanoma Surgery
In 2020, Len Goodman underwent surgery for a small facial melanoma.
October 2021: Guest Appearance on Hollyoaks
Len Goodman made a guest voice appearance on the soap opera Hollyoaks in October 2021.
2021: Hosting on Boom Radio
Len Goodman hosted bank holiday shows for Boom Radio in 2021.
November 2022: Retirement Announcement from DWTS
Len Goodman announced his retirement from Dancing with the Stars in November 2022.
2022: Retirement from Dancing with the Stars
Len Goodman announced his retirement from Dancing with the Stars in 2022.
April 2023: Death of Len Goodman
Len Goodman died from cancer in April 2023.
April 2023: Death of Len Goodman
Len Goodman died from prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones on April 22, 2023, at a hospice in Royal Tunbridge Wells, just three days before his 79th birthday. Tributes were paid by fellow Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli and presenter Claudia Winkleman.
April 2023: Death of Len Goodman
Len Goodman passed away in April 2023.
October 2023: Tribute to Len Goodman on DWTS
Dancing with the Stars paid tribute to Len Goodman in October 2023, renaming the Mirrorball Trophy in his honor and featuring a special performance.