US Trends

what happened to len goodman on dancing with the stars

Len Goodman first retired from Dancing with the Stars in 2022, and then sadly died in April 2023 after a battle with bone cancer at the age of 78.

Quick Scoop: What Happened to Len Goodman on DWTS?

Len Goodman was the original head judge on Dancing with the Stars from its launch in 2005 and became one of the show’s most recognizable and respected faces.

In November 2022 (season 31), he announced live on air that he would be leaving the show to retire and spend more time with his family and grandchildren in the UK.

His Retirement from the Show

  • During a November 2022 episode, Goodman told viewers that season 31 would be his final season as a judge.
  • He explained that he wanted to go back to Britain and enjoy more time with his family and grandchildren.
  • The audience, along with fellow judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, gave him an emotional standing ovation.
  • Season 31’s finale became his last appearance as a regular judge on Dancing with the Stars.

His Passing and Cause

  • On April 22, 2023, Len Goodman died in hospice care in England at age 78.
  • His manager confirmed that he had been battling bone cancer and died peacefully surrounded by family.
  • News outlets and colleagues emphasized that he had kept his health struggles relatively private, focusing instead on his work and family.

How DWTS Honored Him

  • After his death, Dancing with the Stars aired special tribute segments celebrating his years as head judge.
  • The show renamed its Mirrorball Trophy to the “Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy” in his honor.
  • Judges and pros shared memories of his signature tough-but-fair critiques and his famous “10 from Len!” moments.

Fan & Forum Discussion (Trending Context)

On social media and forums, the topic “what happened to Len Goodman on Dancing with the Stars ” usually refers to two key events:

  1. His decision to retire at the end of season 31.
  2. His later passing in 2023 from bone cancer.

Common points people discuss:

  • Nostalgia for the “classic” judging panel with Len, Carrie Ann, and Bruno.
  • How the tone of judging changed after he left, with new judges like Derek Hough stepping into the panel.
  • Appreciation for his old-school ballroom standards and straightforward comments, which many feel set the bar for the show.

Mini Timeline

  1. 2005 – Becomes head judge on Dancing with the Stars at its launch.
  1. November 2022 – Announces he will leave after season 31 to retire and be with family.
  1. Late 2022 – Final regular appearance as head judge in the season 31 finale.
  1. April 22, 2023 – Dies at age 78 after a battle with bone cancer.
  1. Later seasons (20th anniversary / season 34 era) – DWTS airs tributes and renames the Mirrorball Trophy in his honor; fans still talk about missing his presence on the show.

TL;DR:
Len Goodman didn’t just “disappear” from Dancing with the Stars —he chose to retire after season 31 to spend more time with his family, and then passed away in April 2023 from bone cancer at 78, leading to emotional tributes and the renaming of the show’s trophy in his honor.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.