Leonard Gordon Goodman was born on April 25, 1944, in Farnborough, Kent, England, and grew up in Bethnal Green, East London24. He came to dancing relatively late, starting at the age of 19 after a doctor recommended it as exercise for his injured foot34. Despite his late start, Goodman quickly excelled in ballroom dancing, winning competitions across the country by his twenties3. The former welder from the Woolwich docks eventually became a British Champion dancer4. Goodman's passion for dance led him to become a teacher and choreographer, and he opened his own dance school in Kent4. His working-class background, with family members selling vegetables from wheelbarrows in London's East End, provided a stark contrast to the glamorous world of ballroom dancing he would later inhabit4.

Len Goodman's journey from welding to dancing was an unexpected career shift. After leaving school at 15, Goodman worked as an apprentice welder at various companies, including British Oxygen Corporation and Harland and Wolff shipyard3. His transition to dance began at age 19 when a doctor recommended it as therapy for a foot injury1. Despite this late start, Goodman's natural talent quickly emerged as he won various competitions and eventually claimed the British Championships at Blackpool1. This success led him to retire from competitive dancing in his late twenties and focus on teaching and judging, setting the stage for his future role as a beloved dance competition judge14.

Len Goodman's television career catapulted him to international fame as the head judge on BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing" from 2004 to 2016 and as a judge on the American version, "Dancing with the Stars," from 2005 to 2022125. On both shows, Goodman brought his wealth of expertise and no-nonsense honesty to his role, becoming known for his catchphrases like "It's a 10 from Len!" and his distinctive way of saying "Seven!"25. His cheeky quips and cheesy one-liners added to the sparkle and broad appeal of the shows, helping to revitalize interest in ballroom dancing for a new generation2. Goodman's impact on these popular dance competition programs was significant, contributing to their success and longevity, with "Strictly Come Dancing" attracting audiences of over 11 million at its peak2.

Len Goodman announced his retirement from "Dancing with the Stars" in November 2022, expressing a desire to spend more time with his family and grandchildren in Britain1. Sadly, he passed away on April 22, 2023, at the age of 78, just days before his 79th birthday12. The cause of death was revealed to be bone cancer, which had spread from prostate cancer25. Goodman's legacy lives on through the renaming of the show's coveted prize to the "Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy"5. Colleagues and fans remembered him fondly for his expertise, wit, and kindness. Carrie Ann Inaba described him as "A dancer. A teacher. A refined gentleman. A wonderful storyteller. A special soul. A mentor. A family man. And ... A treasured friend"1. His impact on ballroom dancing and television will be remembered for years to come.