Len Goodman has tragically died at the age of 78 from bone cancer. The star was surrounded by loving members of his family over the weekend after suffering from "a short illness," as tributes for the dance icon start to pour in.
The beloved Strictly Come Dancing judge had been in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells in Kent following a short illness. He passed away on Saturday night.
Len leaves behind his wife Sue, who he married in 2012 in a surprise ceremony. The couple invited 30 family and friends who believed they were attending a Sunday lunch before revealing he proposed to the dance teacher after dating over a decade.
He also leaves behind his son James, from a previous relationship.
A spokeswoman for Len told MailOnline: "I can confirm he died peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family."
The former head judge fronted the popular dancing show from its launch in 2004 until 2016, Len was hugely popular with fans of the BBC show for his wisdom and wry and witty humour, which captivated his fans across the nation.
As well as Strictly, Len also appeared on the US version of the show, Dancing With the Stars, from 2005 until 2022.
The 78-year-old's death will be mourned by stars across the showbiz world, after an impressive career spanning six decades.
Len announced on Dancing With The Stars last November that he would be hanging up his scoring paddle for the last time at the end of the series, telling viewers: "This will be my last season judging Dancing With the Stars.
"I've been on the show since it started in 2005, and it has been a huge pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful show but I've decided I want to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain."
The London-born television host began his working life as an apprentice welder and aspired to be a footballer in his younger days.
He only started dancing at the age of 20, after his doctor recommended it to help him recover from a foot injury.
He turned professional and enjoyed a successful competitive dancing career, which included winning Dual of the Giants, British Rising Stars, The British Exhibition Championships (four times) and the World Exhibition Championships in the early 1970s.
Tributes have been pouring in from his co-stars and friends, with Strictly Come Dancing legend Brendan Cole appearing on This Morning on Monday, hailing the TV icon over his "wonderful" career and working with him on the show.
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