Len Goodman

Len Goodman: biography

Len Goodman was a British ballroom dancer, choreographer, and television personality.

Childhood and youth

Len Goodman was born on April 25, 1944, in Farnborough, Kent, England. He was the son of a dockworker and grew up in a working-class family. As a child, he was interested in music and dance and started taking dance lessons at the age of six.

Goodman's love for dance continued to grow throughout his youth, and he became a talented dancer in various styles, including ballroom and Latin dance. Despite his passion for dance, he faced challenges growing up in a working-class family and had to work odd jobs to support himself.

Dancing career

Len Goodman began his professional dancing career as a young man, competing in ballroom and Latin dance competitions throughout the UK. He quickly established himself as a talented dancer and began to make a name for himself in the dance world.

In the 1960s, Goodman began competing in national and international dance competitions, winning numerous championships in both ballroom and Latin dance. He was a multiple-time British Champion and International Champion in Latin American dance, as well as a finalist in the World Championships in both ballroom and Latin dance.

Goodman was known for his smooth, precise dance style and his ability to connect with his partner on the dance floor. He was particularly skilled in the foxtrot and the tango, which became his signature dances. He also had a reputation for being a skilled choreographer and dance teacher, training many successful dancers who went on to compete professionally and win championships.

In addition to his success in competitive dancing, Goodman also became a popular performer on British television. He was a regular performer on the popular show "Come Dancing" in the 1980s and 1990s and was known for his entertaining performances and engaging personality.

Goodman's reputation as a dancer and teacher eventually led him to a career in television. He became a judge on the original British version of "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2004 and later became a judge on the American version of the show, "Dancing with the Stars". As a judge, Goodman was known for his constructive criticism and his ability to provide helpful feedback to the contestants.

Throughout his career, Goodman remained a passionate advocate for dance and worked tirelessly to promote the art form to a wider audience. He continued to perform and teach well into his 60s, inspiring and mentoring dancers around the world.

Personal life

Len Goodman was married twice. His first marriage was to Cherry Kingston, a dance partner and fellow dance instructor. They got married in 1972 and divorced in 1987.

Goodman later had a longtime relationship with Lesley, they had a son together called James

In 2012 Len married Sue Barrett, a dance teacher. The couple had been together for over ten years before tying the knot in a private ceremony in London. Goodman has been very private about his personal life and rarely discusses it in interviews.

Goodman was open about his struggles with cancer, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009. He underwent successful treatment and became an advocate for cancer awareness and early detection.

Despite his busy career and personal challenges, Goodman remained dedicated to his passion for dance and continues to inspire and mentor dancers around the world. He was widely respected for his contributions to the dance community and his commitment to promoting the art form to a wider audience.

Death

On April 22, 2023, just three days prior to his 79th birthday, he passed away due to bone cancer while in hospice care in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Filmography

TV Appearances:

• Come Dancing (1980-1996)
• Strictly Come Dancing (2004-2016)
• Dancing with the Stars (2005-2020)
• Dancing on Ice (2006)
• Hole in the Wall (2008)
• Celebrity Juice (2009)
• Len Goodman's Dance Band Days (2014)
• The One Show (2015)
• The Good Karma Hospital (2017)
• Celebrity Gogglebox (2020)

Film Appearances:

• Strictly Ballroom (1992)
• Burn the Floor (1999)
• Dance with Len Goodman (2010)

As a Judge:

• Strictly Come Dancing (2004-2016)
• Dancing with the Stars (2005-2020)

As a Presenter:

• Len Goodman's Partners in Rhyme (2017)
• Len Goodman's Holiday of a Lifetime (2019)

As a Guest:

• Room 101 (2001)
• The Paul O'Grady Show (2008)
• The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2011)
• The Jonathan Ross Show (2015)
• The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice (2016)