Len Goodman, a former Strictly Come Dancing judge, died at the age of 78 after a battle with bone cancer.
Following a brief illness, the beloved ballroom expert was at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. On Saturday night, he died.
Len’s publicist told MailOnline, ‘I can confirm he died peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family.’
‘It is with great regret to report that Len Goodman has died away peacefully, aged 78,’ his agent Jackie Gill said in a statement.
‘A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.’
Goodman served on the Strictly Come Dancing panel from its inception in 2004 to 2016, and was well renowned for his dancing skills and caustic humour.
In addition to Strictly, he performed on Dancing With the Stars in the United States from 2005 to 2022.
On April 25, 1944, the dancing coach was born in London and began his working life as an apprentice welder at Harland and Wolff in Woolwich, with hopes of becoming a footballer.
He began dancing at the age of 20 after his doctor prescribed it to help him heal from a foot ailment.
following 12 years on the show, the former head judge retired his scoring paddle following the 2016 series of Strictly.
Shirley Ballas, a Latin professional, eventually took his position.
While the change surprised viewers, it turned out that Goodman wasn’t thrilled with the choice either.
When asked if he missed the show by Lorraine Kelly in 2017, he said, ‘Of course I do. A twang is constantly present.’
However, he added: ‘I done it for 12 years, I wasn’t getting too dithery, I wasn’t dribbling, there comes a time when you think I did it for 12 years. And I couldn’t do the flying backwards and forwards.’
Tributes have flooded in for Goodman, who would have turned 79 on Tuesday, April 25, with broadcaster Dan Walker writing: ‘So sorry to read of Len Goodman’s passing. He was a remarkable individual with a rare gift.
Broadcaster Piers Morgan penned: ‘More very sad news from the world of entertainment… RIP Len Goodman, 78 – welder, dancer, judge, and devoted cricket & West Ham fan. Always had a laugh with Len, and swapped a few strong opinions. A quintessential Londoner and a top bloke.’