Goodman was known for his avuncular critiques and wry sense of humour, and was a fixture on the BBC show from its launch in 2004 until his retirement in 2016. He also appeared on the US version, Dancing With the Stars, from 2005 until his retirement in 2022. Goodman had been suffering from bone cancer and died at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, surrounded by his family. Tributes were paid to Goodman by the BBC director general Tim Davie and fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood, who described him as a “gorgeous colleague and dear friend”.
Goodman began dancing at 19, winning the British Championships in his late 20s. He retired from dancing to become a professional judge and teacher, and was the head judge on Strictly from its inception. As well as being a judge, he owned the Goodman Academy, a dance school in Dartford, Kent. He won the Carl Alan Award for outstanding contributions to dance.
Russell Grant, a former Strictly contestant, paid tribute to Goodman on Twitter, calling him a “true character”. Boxing star Frank Bruno, who had met Goodman several times, said the news was “really sad”. Goodman’s manager Jackie Gill said in a statement that he was a “much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him”.
Source: BBC
