Len Goodman's life after Strictly – from cancer scares to living in a pub
24.04.2023 - 12:28
/ ok.co.uk
He only found fame in his 60s, taking part in a new Saturday night TV show for 2004, called Strictly Come Dancing. But as head judge on the hugely popular TV show, Len Goodman, who's sadly died from bone cancer in a Kent hospice aged 78, became known for his warm and quick-witted comments, as well as his score calling catchphrase, "Se-ven!" A regular and much-loved fixture on our TV screens for an incredible 14 series – alongside his fellow judges, Bruno Tonioli, Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood – the former professional dancer hung up his Strictly scoring paddles for the last time in 2016.
He later said it had been the "right time" to hand over the role of head judge to someone else, with Shirley Ballas ultimately landing the role. But what did he do next? And why didn't he speak to his former co-stars? Here we look at his life after Strictly, including cancer scares and his life living in a former pub...
After leaving Strictly in the UK, Len continued to work as head judge on the US version, Dancing With The Stars, as he had done since 2005, filming it in LA during the UK’s winter. Len said: "There's a lot to be said for going to Los Angeles during our winter.
My wife comes out for a month and loves it.” Talking more about his family’s travels, he continued: "My son, his wife and granddaughter came out for a couple of weeks so it’s like a holiday for them, and I'm out in the sunshine playing a bit of golf, doing a bit of work." Just before leaving Strictly, Len bought a pub with his wife, Sue Barrett, whom he married in 2012. Following the £800,000 purchase, they won planning permission to turn the 15th century venue, near Sevenoaks in Kent, into their new home.