Len Goodman Celebrated As Ballroom Pals Remember The Legend Who Made ‘DWTS’ Such A Success

Len Goodman, the original head judge on Dancing With the Stars in the U.S. and Strictly Come Dancing in the U.K., has died at the age of 78.

However, despite the enormity of that loss for fans, colleagues and celebrities who’ve long loved the hoofer-turned-reality TV staple, Goodman’s death hasn’t made for a dark day in the ballroom. Instead, the man who devoted his life to the glitz and glam-filled institution and is being remembered and celebrated for the bright and far-reaching light of his own legacy.

After all, without Goodman, it’s unlikely television’s ballroom bashes would have ever reached the heights they have over nearly two decades on the air.

Goodman brought gravitas and legitimacy to the dancing franchise that now boasts dozens of iterations around the world. While he was joined by fellow judges with dance and choreography experience on both sides of the Atlantic, like DWTS’s veterans Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba, Goodman started out as the lone panelist with a real history in the ballroom, as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of the dances and long familiarity of the dancing pros who eventually joined the competition.

Having launched his own career as a competitive ballroom dancer at 19, Goodman hung up his dancing shoes just 8 years later, after winning the celebrated British Championships. He then opened his own dancing school where he passed on his knowledge of jive, quickstep, tango, pasodoble and more to generations of ballroom contenders.

Over those years, he taught more than just the steps. His instruction put the spotlight on the joy of dance, having once told The Guardian, “My philosophy of lessons is that they should always be fun. If they’re having a good time, I’ve done my job. If they’re learning to dance at the same time, that’s a bonus. My first goal is to make it enjoyable and sociable.”

Former Dancing With the Stars champ and new co-host, Julianne Hough, recalled Goodman’s balance of rule-loving and fun-loving in an Instagram post she shared after learning of his death.

She wrote, “From the time we met when I was 10 years old competing in London, to my first time on DWTS and feeling at home because of your familiar face and warm embrace. To the many 7’s (SeVUUUHN) that turned in to my first ever 10 I received from you. To all the rules I broke on the dance floor that you were stern about but then would see me back stage and tell me you loved it. To then have sat by your side as a judge, rather partner, for so many years creating so many inside jokes and memories in the ballroom and outside of the ballroom, was and will be a sacred part of my life that I’ll always cherish. The wisdom, playfulness, and class that radiated from you touched all of us with such impact. I’m forever grateful for the many years you influenced my past, present and future! What an honor it has been to have been a part of your wonderful life. You’re a legend and left a beautiful legacy. I love you forever.”

Her brother, record holding six-time DWTS champ and current judge, Derek Hough, shared a similar sentiment on Twitter, as he spoke about the “mentor” who meant so much to him.

“Still hard to fully process but filled with gratitude knowing I had the privilege of working beside this absolute legend,” he wrote.

Fellow panelist Tonioli agreed, raving about “the one and only ballroom LEGEND” he worked with for 19 years in a tweet of his own.

On Instagram, Inaba, who served by Goodman’s side nearly as long, called him, “A Dancer. A teacher. A refined gentleman. A wonderful storyteller. A special soul. A mentor. A family man. And… A treasured friend.”

And Shirley Ballas, mother of pro Mark Ballas and the woman who now serves as Strictly’s head judge, was a former student of Goodman, and in a tribute of her own, described him as “a shining star in the ballroom that everyone loved.”

Remembrances and messages of thanks went on and on across social media from fans and former star contenders Monday in honor of the man who helped transform the classic art of ballroom dancing into a modern reality TV fixture, all grateful for his TV tenure and for the rare opportunity Goodman gave them last year—the chance to say goodbye while he was still alive.

After 31 seasons as head judge, Goodman announced his retirement from Dancing With the Stars during the show’s semifinals in November. When he told the crowd he wanted to spend more time with his family in Britain, he received a standing ovation from the audience, perfect 10s from his fellow judges and the love of ballroom fans everywhere.