The British pro dancer plans to leave the ABC reality competition series after the upcoming season 20.
- Dec 9, 2014
AceShowbiz - After more than nine years, Len Goodman is leaving "Dancing with the Stars". The original judge of the ABC dancing competition series revealed his plan to quit the show after the next installment to spend more time with his family.
"So, I just need a bit of time off to get on with a normal life. And it was either 'Strictly' went or the American one went or the tour went," he said when promoting British reality series "Strictly Come Dancing". I'm doing the spring one when I go out there ... and that's going to be my last one. 'Dancing with the Stars', next year is their 10th year ... so I think that's a nice place to stop."
The 70-year-old professional ballroom dancer explained his decision, "I've got my wife, I've got my son. My mother is still alive - she's currently in hospital. I've had virtually no time to visit her."
Len chose "Strictly" over "DWTS", because "without that I wouldn't have done the American show, I'd have never done any of the other things I've done so I feel a loyalty to the BBC." He added, "I'll happily continue to do 'Strictly' for as long as they want me. They'll eventually turn around and say 'You're getting too old for it now, Len.' But if they want me to do it, I'll be doing it."
In the most recent season of "DWTS", Len took a few weeks off to judge "Strictly". He is expected to return to the panel in the upcoming season 20 along with longtime judges Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba as well as Julianne Hough who was just added in season 19.
