Dancing with the Stars
Len Goodman, Former ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Head Judge, Passes Away at 78
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.
Hart broken 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 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/M5qnHedx5S
— Bruno Tonioli (@BrunoTonioli) April 24, 2023
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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: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson

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.

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.
Dancing with the Stars
DANCING WITH THE STARS Viral Hits Night: Who Was the Fiercest Couple of Them All?

In week 2 of ballroom dance floor action on Dancing With the Stars season 35, it was “viral hits night,” which had all the celebrity contestants and their pro partners going head -to-head with each other, unlike last week’s two-night season premiere where the men were solely on night one and the women on night two.
Now, the 14 remaining couples strutted their stuff and their routines on the September 22 episode, where it was clear that paralympian, Ezra Frech and olympian, Amber Glenn showed how balance and athleticism came into play. BUT, there was no one more than Frech, who with one prosthetic leg, just could get down on the dance floor better than the rest of us, anytime anywhere!
When the smoke cleared, three couples had the highest scores from the panel of judges, Carrie Ann, Derek and Bruno. Each received a 21/30 score and were a top the leaderboard ahead of the night’s final results.

Photo: ABC
The top scores belonged to: Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy who danced a Jive to “Animal” by Katseye, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach who performed a cha-cha to “Low” by Flo Rida, and Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov who took to the floor performing a tango to “All the Things She Said” by Harrison, who was in the ballroom DJing the song!
WHO WAS SENT HOME?
At the end of the night, the results were revealed. The first six couples who were announced as safe were: Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik, Jackson Olson and Emma Slater, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, and Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov.
Also safe were: Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold, and Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa.
The bottom three were revealed as: Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten, and Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson. In the end, Giada and Alan who were sent home.
Dancing With the Stars, Season 35, airs Tuesdays, 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC and Disney+
Take a look at the top three highest scored dances from last night’s Viral Hits Night’s competition below. Then let us know, who you thought was the fiercest couple of them all, via the comment section.
Dancing with the Stars
DANCING WITH THE STARS : ‘Viral Hits Night’ Preview; What Song and Dance Did the 14 Remaining Couples Choose?

After last week’s two-part season 35 premiere, Dancing with the Stars continues with the 14 remaining couples return to the ballroom for “Viral Hits Night.” For this next step towards the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy, the celebrity contestants and their professional partners will hit the ballroom dance floor and perform routines to some of the biggest musical hits and unforgettable moments that have taken social media by storm.
“Viral Hits Night” airs on Tuesday, September 22 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT/PDT, 7:00-9:00 p.m. CDT), while being simulcast live cross both ABC and Disney+ in local time zones and next day on Hulu.
Previously, Conner Leavitt and pro partner Adele Zaikman were sent home as were the same-sex dancing duo of Sarah Jane Nader and pro partner Hailey Bills. Now below, check out the couples still in the mix along with their dance styles and songs for Tuesday night’s edition of Dancing with the Stars.

Photo: ABC
CELEBRITY AND PRO PARTNERS PLANNED ROUTINES
Amber Glenn and partner Pasha Pashkov will perform a Tango to “All the Things She Said” by Harrison
Taylor Hanson and partner Britt Stewart will perform a Cha Cha to “Cake By the Ocean” by DNCE
Harry Shum Jr. and partner Jenna Johnson will perform a Viennese Waltz to “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls
Guillermo Rodriguez and partner Witney Carson will perform a Paso Doble to “Where Have You Been” by Rihanna
Jackson Olson and partner Emma Slater will perform a Foxtrot to “That’s So True” by Gracie Abrams
Tatyana Ali and partner Jan Ravnik will perform a Foxtrot to “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish
Ezra Frech and partner Daniella Karagach will perform a Cha Cha to “Low” by Flo Rida
Tyler Cameron and partner Sharna Burgess will perform a Salsa to “Girls” by The Kid LAROI
Connor Wood and partner Rylee Arnold will perform a Tango to “12 to 12” by sombr

Photo: ABC
Maura Higgins and partner Mark Ballas will perform a Cha Cha to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
Ciara Miller and partner Brandon Armstrong will perform a Tango to “No Broke Boys” by Disco Lines & Tinashe
Julia Stiles and partner Ezra Sosa will perform a Tango to “The Door” by Teddy Swims
Jenna Dewan and partner Val Chmerkovskiy will perform a Jive to “Animal” by KATSEYE
Giada De Laurentiis and partner Alan Bersten will perform a Salsa to “Bella Ciao” by Becky G
HOW TO CAST YOUR VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES
Fans will be able to vote during the live simulcast of the show in the ET/CT time zones. During this time, online voting will be available to fans in any time zone in the U.S., its territories and Canada via dwtsvote.abc.com, and fans on participating U.S. wireless carriers can also vote via SMS/text (fans in Canada cannot vote via SMS/text). Live viewer votes from the night will be combined with the judges’ scores to determine who may be in jeopardy of elimination.
Dancing with the Stars is co-hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough in which celebrities are paired with trained ballroom dancers to compete in themed choreographed dance routines that are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, including Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.
So, looking at the 14 remaining couples selected dance routines and song choice, combined with what you saw last week, who do you think remains a strong frontrunner as the team to beat? Let us know your picks via the comment section below.
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