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Len Goodman, Former ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Head Judge, Passes Away at 78

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

Len Goodman, the beloved and often crusty former head judge of Dancing with the Stars, as well as the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing, has died.  Goodman passed away at the age of 78 following his battle with bone cancer.

According to the BBC, Len passed away while at hospice in England over the weekend on Saturday.

Goodman’s agent, Jackie Gill confirmed his passing sharing, “It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78. A much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”

Throughout DWTS run, Len was the on-going presence who was often harsh and critical in his assessment of the celebrity contestants and their dance partners when they didn’t deliver enough of the signature moves from the required style of dance.   However, when you impressed Len, he would often hold up his scoring paddle and utter, “From Len, a 10!”  Those words meant so much to the couples vying for the Mirror Ball trophy each season, because if you could impress Len you felt you were on the right track.

Goodman appeared from the beginning of DWTS in 2005 through last year in 2022, when it was revealed at the end of its 31st season, he would be stepping away from the show to spend more time with his family.  Len also served as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004-2016.

Photo: ABC

This morning, following the news of Goodman’s death, Len’s former friend and DWTS colleague and judge, Bruno Tonioli tweeted: “Heartbroken my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom LEGEND #LenGoodman passed away. I will treasure the memories of our adventures @bbcstrictly @officialdwts there will never be anyone like you. you will always be my perfect 10.”

In addition, Carrie Ann Inaba, who along with Tonioli and Goodman have been at the DWTS judges table together during the series run, posted an emotional tribute via her Instagram account paying tribute to her friend and colleague.

Inaba shared: “Dancer. A teacher. A refined gentleman. A wonderful storyteller. A special soul. A mentor. A family man. And… A treasured friend.Saying goodbye at the end of last season broke my heart. But today’s news has shattered it all over again. I can’t believe that you’re gone. 💔 You were one of a kind my dear friend. And I will cherish our memories and hold them close, while I join so many others in mourning your loss. Thank you for all that you shared with us. Your humor, your wisdom, your wit and your truth. Until we meet again…✨Rest In Peace Len 🤍”

When it was revealed that Len was exiting Dancing with the Stars after its 31st season, the series aired a very emotional clip package honoring the man who meant so much to the show, the dancers, and the audience at home.  You can watch it below.

Len is survived by his son James and his wife, Sue Barrett.

Now, share your condolences and remembrances for Len Goodman in the comment section.

 

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I haven’t watched DWTS in a long time, but during the years that I did I loved Len. I did not know he was ill and Was shocked and saddened to hear this news. RIP

Dancing with the Stars

DANCING WITH THE STARS: A Shocking Elimination on Grammy Night Leaves Ballroom Silenced

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In what could only be the stunner of this season of Dancing with the Stars, the Tuesday night, November 1o episode saw one of the heavy favorites Jenna Dewan and pro partner Val Chmerkovskiy eliminated right before next week’s all-important semi-finals for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Week 9 was Grammy night, where the contestants performed routines related to the Grammy Awards with songs that have either won or been nominated for the music industry’s highest prize.

After each couple performed their usual routine, they had to dance a second time vs, another couple doing the same dance style. Only Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson earned immunity from having to participate in it.

Dancing with the Stars

Photo: ABC

THE RESULTS

When all was said and done during the results portion of the show; the following couples were deemed safe and will dance another day: Shum Jr. and Johnson, Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, and Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold.

That left former Y&R actress Tatyana Ali (ex-Roxanne) and Jan Ravnik and Dewan and Chmerkovskiy in the bottom two. It was then revealed that Jenna and Val would be going home. The ballroom fell silent and Dewan said her “thank you’s “in the most gracious way about her dance journey.

Dewan is a dancer, having worked professionally with the likes of Janet Jackson (who also popped up in a special message to her former back-up dancer in the episode) while currently being an actress, and appearing as a series regular on The Rookie. Chmerkovskiy has been controversial figure all season especially after being suspended one week after comments made towards judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

BREAKING THEIR SILENCE

This begs the question: did America want the couple gone, because they had an unfair advantage with Dewan’s dance prowess, or did the show want the couple booted off too?

Later, Jenna and Val broke their silence on the elimination to Extra. Chmerkovskiy shared “It’s’ definitely a sad result. I thought we had a great season.” Dewan admitted, “I know this was a particularly tough week for a lot of the online noise … but I know that we went out there and had the best time of our life.”

Val is married to pro dancer, Jenna Johnson, who remained in the top slot on the leaderboard during the competition with Harry Shum Jr. However, she also had a bad week breaking her nose in rehearsal!

Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and next day on Hulu.

So were you happy, or sad to see Jenna and Val voted off of Dancing with the Stars? Of the remaining couples who do you hope make it from the semi-finals to the finals and hoists the Mirrorball Trophy? Weigh-in via the comment section.

 

 

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DANCING WITH THE STARS: Guillermo Goes Home

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Guillermo

The Tuesday, October 13 episode of Dancing With the Stars brought with it the end of the line for a fan favorite, who for five weeks was able to hang in the competition for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, due to the at-home voting, and not for his exceptional dance prowess.

With 11 pairs remaining, the couples hit the ballroom dance floor to songs by previous Super Bowl Halftime Show performers for “Super Bowl Night” with special guest judge ESPN’s Joe Buck.

The sports commentator joined Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli at the judges table to offer up his thoughts on the dance routines and athleticism set before him throughout the night.

Guillermo Dancing with the Stars

Photo: ABC

THE RESULTS

When it time for the results following the final commercial break, DWTS hosts, Alfonso and Julianne, named Julia and Ezra, Maura and Mark, Jackson and Emma, Harry and Jenna, and Amber and Pasha safe. They were followed by: Ezra and Daniella, Jenna and Val, Tatyana and Jan, and Connor and Rylee.

That left the last two pairs on the stage, although not necessarily the bottom two in the voting between Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess and Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson. As the tension mounted, especially because Cameron had delivered his best dance of the season thus far, it was revealed that Guillermo and Witney were eliminated.

Speaking to the cameras following his elimination, the ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ sidekick, shared, “I want to say thank you to all the audience, thank you to everyone and Dancing with the Stars. I had a lot of fun, it was great. Witney, I love you for teaching me how to dance, thank you so much.”

Ezra and Daniella

Photo: ABC

LAST DANCE

Witney Carson. who has been pregnant while in the competition, said to Guillermo, “Thank you so much for making the season just so fun, so enjoyable.” She added, “He has taken care of me so much throughout this entire season, it’s felt like an empowering season.”

In their final routine, Guillermo and Witney Carson had performed a salsa to Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó.” As the episode concluded, all of the celebrity contestants and pro dancers swarmed Guillermo and hoisted him in the air, celebrating his efforts throughout the competition.

As for who were the standouts on “Super Bowl Night” Paralympian Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach performed a salsa to “Hot in Herre” by Nelly to the top the leaderboard. along with The Rookie star Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy who peformed a paso doble to “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga. Each couple scored a 36/40 receiving straight 9’s from the judges, the highest scores thus far on season 35.

Now below, check out the top two routines of the night and Guillermo and Witney’s last dance.

Then let us know, are you glad that Guillermo was finally sent home, or were you hoping that somehow he would keep surviving in the competition week after week? Of the remaining couples, who did you think delivered the best routine on Super Bowl Night and who are you rooting for now to take home the Mirrorball Trophy? Let us know in the comment section.

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Dancing with the Stars

DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson

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Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart

The September 29 episode of Dancing With the Stars showcased the continued strengths of some couples, but showed the cracks in others, as the 13 remaining duos hit the ballroom dance floor to yacht rock songs in week 3 of the competition.

At the end of the night, the couple with the lowest combined judges’s scores and viewer votes was sent home, and this proved to be a sticking point issue with the voting.

During the results portion at the end of the show, the first five couples who were named safe were: Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, and Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa.

They were followed by: Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, and Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold.

Taylor Hanson, Britt Stewart

Photo: ABC

AN UNEXPECTED TWIST

The remaining three couples awaiting their fate were: Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson, Jackson Olson and Emma Slater, and Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart. The couple sent home was Taylor and Britt.

Taylor and Britt performed a foxtrot to the the Doobie Brothers, “What a Fool Believes” during the night of competition and scored an 18 out of 30 from the judged. While it wasn’t the stand out routine on Yacht Rock night, it certainly wasn’t the worst.

With many expecting Guillermo and Witney to be sent home, when Britt and Taylor’s name was called, Stewart was visibly emotional and upset. After the shocking elimination, several of her pro partners spoke out and rallied around her and Hanson.

DANCING WITH THE STARS PROS SPEAK UP

Pro dancer, Sharna Burgess is hoping that next season, Stewart will make it to the finals. ]It should be noted that Britt is the first Black woman to be in the Dancing with the Stars pro company having joined in season 29 back in 2020, and she has never made it to the finale. Her highest placement was when she came in fifth in season 31 with her now husband, CODA star Daniel Durant.

“Knowing Britt and loving Britt, I just want to see her do a freestyle. I just want to see Britt, next season, get what our fans call a ringer, and we see her get to the end so we can have a Britt freestyle, expressed Burgess to EW.com.

Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong spoke out as being the couple who has spent the most time with Britt and Taylor during competition weeks. “I think Britt is an elite dancer, and an elite pro,” Armstrong continues, explaining that he and Miller were “gutted” when they heard the news. “It’s horrible,” said Armstrong. Miller shared she has chills” over it, and is “processing this elimination.”

Perhaps, Dancing with the Stars pro Jan Ravnik said it best, exclaiming everything is “going to be f—ed from now on” with them gone and more eliminations weekly. “I did love this partnership. I think they were incredible. I love Britt so much. I think she is one of the best dancers that I ever worked with.”

Now below, check out the dance routines from last night of Guillermo and Witney, Jackson and Emma and Taylor and Britt, and let us know if you think the right couple was sent packing via the comment section below.

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