Who was Len Goodman? Was He Married?

Len Goodman is dead at 78: Everything to know about the ballroom dancer's personal life!   

Len Goodman held the spotlight as a dance expert /veteran television star. Goodman was best known for his long-running stint in the fan-favorite television program, Dancing with the Stars. Len filled the judge spot for more than 15 years. 

Goodman's life and legacies are being explored again as the professional dancer succumbs to his prolonged health crisis at age 78. Born on April 25, 1944, in London, Len died just two days before his 79th birthday on April 22. The beloved reality television judge had married two women in his lifetime and fathered only one child.  

Everything to Know about Len Goodman!   

For someone with such an illustrious career as a dancer, Len Goodman certainly ventured into the art pretty late. It is now learned that the English dance expert was 19 when he first started dating. Safe to assume that he wasn't born with an innate talent or a penchant as a doctor allegedly recommended he take up dancing to cure his foot injury.   

Goodman was reportedly training to be a welder before he got lucky, and life decided otherwise. The Bethnal Green-born boy soon became a professional specializing in ballroom dancing. Goodman won several accolades in the next few years, including, Dual of the Giants, the British Exhibition Championships (four times), and the World Exhibition Championships.  

Len's dancing career earned him many laurels, but he knew that only taking it in front of large viewers would garner him fame and fortune. In his 20s, Goodman bid his dancing career goodbye and ventured into television, Strictly Come Dancing, as the head judge. The English dancer also opened a dance school, Goodman Academy in Dartford, England.   

For the longest time, Len judged the contestants' performances alongside his peers- Arlene Phillips, Bruno Tonioli, and Craig Revel Horwood. While carrying the head judge dutied on the UK television show, Goodman took to fill in as a judge of its American spin-off, Dancing with the Stars, in 2005. His stint in the UK program ended in 2016 and in its spin-off till 2022.  

Aside from his stellar profile as a dance teacher and critic, Goodman also carried miscellaneous roles in television. For instance, he voiced a character in the five-time Emmy-winning Auto-B-Good, hosted several BBC Four programs, and even completed a stint on BBC Radio 2.  

The Truth About Len Goodman's Married Life!   

The treasured English star is survived by his wife, Sue Barret, and his son, James, who he shared with a former lover. Goodman and Barret are one of the many celebrity couples who share a significant age gap; 21 years in the duo's case. Len and Sue, who is also a dance teacher, met in early 2000 and walked down the aisle after 10 years in 2012.   

Instead of going with the usual step-to-step ceremony, the pair decided to surprise their 30 close family and friends and got married in what was supposed to be a Sunday lunch at a swanky restaurant. "I wanted it to be a low-key affair, so we didn't tell anyone except my 96-year-old mum as I didn't want her having a heart attack with the surprise," Goodman quipped.  

Speaking with The Sun years after his unconventional wedding, the Strictly Dancing judge revealed what keeps his marriage going. "I don't dance at all now but I'll dance the cha-cha naked just to give her a treat," Goodman divulged, adding, "It certainly wakes her up."   

Despite being married to the legendary television star, not much is not known about Sue, who Len often referred to as "my wonderful Sue. The television judge once explained that his wife "likes to stay out of the limelight," so, that's that. Before meeting Sue, who Len claimed made it certain that she was the one for him, the award-winning dancer had a long-term relationship with a woman, Lesley. 

Although not much is known about Goodman and Lesley's long romance, the relationship did result in the birth of Goodman's only child, James Goodman, 42, who is also a dancer and father of two. Len's first marriage was with his champion dance partner Cherry Kingston. The pair divorced years after their nuptials.  

Len Goodman is Dead at 78!  

The veteran television was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009 and suffered prolonged health scares for years. As per sources, Len died of bone cancer at a hospice in Kent, England. Len's manager, Jackie Gill, was the first to break the saddening news.   

Stars mourn the death of the legendary dancer!  

"It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78," Gill said in a statement, adding, "A much-loved husband, father, and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him." Fans, fellow celebrities, and distinguished figures have since taken to various platforms to mourn the death of the legend.  

Piers Morgan, Tim Davie, and Craig Revel were few of the many who paid tributes to the late dancer. UK's prime minister, Rishi Sunak was reportedly saddened by the news and had his office convey a few words. "He was a great entertainer and a popular face on TV screens up and down the country. He will be missed by many," Sunak's spokesperson said in a statement.  

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