1 year ago
26
In Memoriam: Fallen Stars of 2023
The ballroom has mislaid a legend.
Dancing With the Stars judge Len Goodman has died.
"It is with large sadness to denote that Len Goodman has passed distant peacefully, aged 78," his manager Jackie Gill said successful a connection obtained by NBC News connected April 24. "A much-loved husband, begetter and gramps who volition beryllium sorely missed by family, friends and each who knew him."
According to the BBC, Goodman passed distant April 22 astatine a hospice successful Kent, England, and was surrounded by his family. The quality enactment reported his decease came aft a conflict with bony cancer.
Goodman's decease comes 5 months aft the judge, who archetypal joined Dancing With the Stars successful 2005, announced his departure from the show, citing his tendency to walk much clip with his household successful Britain. After the nonrecreational dancer and coach—who besides served arsenic a justice connected the BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2016—passed away, respective members of the Dancing With the Stars household paid tribute, including his chap judges.
"Heart breached my beloved person and spouse for 19 years the 1 and lone ballroom legend #lengoodman passed away," Bruno Tonioli wrote connected Instagram April 24 alongside a throwback photograph of the duo. "I volition treasure the representation of our unthinkable adventures and hundreds of shows we did together @bbcstrictly @dancingwiththestars they volition ne'er beryllium anyone similar you we volition miss you."
Added Carrie Ann Inaba, "A Dancer. A teacher. A refined gentleman. A fantastic storyteller. A peculiar soul. A mentor. A household man. And… A treasured friend. Saying goodbye astatine the extremity of past play broke my heart. But today's quality has shattered it each implicit again. I can't judge that you're gone."
Sharing a video montage, Inaba called Goodman "one of a kind" and a "dear friend," going connected to explicit her gratitude for each the bully times they had.
"And I volition cherish our memories and clasp them close, portion I articulation truthful galore others successful mourning your loss," she continued. "Thank you for each that you shared with us. Your humor, your wisdom, your wit and your truth. Until we conscionable again…Rest In Peace Len."
On Instagram Stories Inaba wrote, "Love you everlastingly my friend."
Several Dancing With the Stars pros expressed their condolences arsenic well.
"Heartbroken," Kym Johnson-Herjavec wrote connected Instagram. "Heavens gates are covered successful 10 paddles and reflector balls today. Nothing made you consciousness amended than getting a 10 from Len. He was a people enactment with a cheeky grin and speedy wit. You volition beryllium truthful missed. Rest In Peace saccharine Len."
Added Keo Motsepe connected Instagram Stories, "May your psyche remainder successful peace. You volition beryllium missed Len. The Legend."
Former Dancing With the Stars big Tom Bergeron besides honored Goodman by sharing a photo montage connected societal media and writing, "A Good man, indeed."
Members of the Strictly Come Dancing community paid tribute arsenic well.
"I've conscionable woken up to the bittersweet quality that my gorgeous workfellow and beloved person Len Goodman has passed away," judge Craig Revel Horwood tweeted. "My bosom and emotion spell retired to his beauteous Sue and family. Len Goody Goodman is what I ever called him and "It's a 10 from Len & seveeeeern"will unrecorded with maine forever. RIP Len."
For the latest breaking quality updates, click present to download the E! News App
