Strictly legend Len Goodman dies aged 78
He previously visited Age UK such a sad loss to Dartford. I North West Kent's day centre met Len Goodman several in Northfleet to praise the work times and had lengthy conversations of the Silver Song Club, who with him during lockdown Former Strictly Come Dancing had been nominated for a when he was understandably star Len Goodman has died from National Lottery Award. concerned when bone cancer. Following his passing, former dance halls could re-open.
The 78-year-old passed away students of his dance school “I always found him a thorough Saturday night at a hospice in said the Strictly Come Dancing gentleman, the same off Tunbridge Wells. judge was “a very encouraging camera as on.
A statement from his agent teacher and so patient”. “Like thousands of Dartfordians, said: “It is with great sadness to Angela Greasby, 51, from Leysdown-on-Sea I went to ‘Goodmans’ announce that Len Goodman said Len Goodman’s opposite the park, for nights has passed away peacefully, disco dance classes on out during the 1980s and he was aged 78. Thursday evenings in Dartford such an integral part of our “A much-loved husband, in the 1980s were “something I town. father and grandfather who looked forward to every “It’s a very sad day for Dartford. will be sorely missed by family, week”. We have lost one of our friends and all who knew The customer experience most popular Dartfordians.” him.” adviser said: “The classes were Len lived in the village Mr Goodman became a judge always fun and I remember of Ightham, near Sevenoaks on Strictly in 2004 and his final Len’s sense of humour. – buying a Grade II-listed village appearance was on the 2016 “I still remember some of the pub, called The Chequers Christmas Day special. dances nearly 40 years later. Inn and converting it into his He announced his retirement “I was so pleased when he home. from TV six months ago and became a judge on Strictly. It Neighbour Nicholas Montebello-Ealey would have celebrated his 79th made me feel even more part of said that the ballroom birthday on Tuesday. it. It was a shock when I heard dancer was “always willing Not only was he known for his that he had passed away. It certainly to engage in conversation” fancy footwork and being head feels like an end of an with locals. judge on the hit BBC show, he era.” He said: “When he was also ran The Goodman Dance Dartford MP Gareth Johnson around and we did see him, he
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Academy in Dartford. also paid tribute. He said: “It is was very friendly, talkative and chatty. He was just like another quiet neighbour – quite low-key and just a nice, approachable chap.
“We used to bump into him walking past his house, and that was the only few times we actually saw him.
“We had no idea he was unwell,” he added. “My wife told me and I was surprised. “For someone who was that fit - and 78 isn’t that old really – it was a bit of a surprise.”
Mary Allwood remembers Mr Goodman always waving as he walked past and would want to get involved with the village. She said: “He was very helpful when anybody asked him to support anything and very willing to do it.”
“I have always been a Strictly fan, I suppose a lot of people are!”
Celebrities also paid tribute, with former Strictly pro James Jordan saying: “I’m devastated - what an amazing man who was always lovely to me and Ola in all our years of knowing him.
“He is a Strictly legend.”