Len Goodman’s final days – predicted his own death and secret cancer battle

Strictly Come Dancing star Len Goodman left the nation in mourning when it was revealed he died from bone cancer in April 2023.

Known for his charismatic and charming personality, Len was adored by his colleagues, family and friends. Meanwhile, on-screen, Len was a fan-favourite and had millions of supporters worldwide.

Born in Farnborough, Kent and raised in Bethnal Green, East London, Len began his dance career at the age of 19 when his doctor recommended it as therapy for a foot injury. This later led to an outstanding dance career with Len winning various competitions, and later retiring in his twenties to become a dance teacher.

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But his TV appearances as a judge on both Strictly and Dancing with the Stars are what kept fans captivated. Unfortunately, Len passed away at the age of 78 in April 2023, however, the star already knew he was dying. Daily Star has taken a look inside Len’s final days.

Predicted death

In 2022, Len made the shock announcement when he predicted his own death.

In December of that year, the professional dancer decided to retire as the head judge of America’s Dancing with the Stars. Talking to Daily Mail at the time, Len shared that he believed he would die in a similar way to his father, who passed away at the age of 79.

Len, who was 78 at the time, said: “My dad had the right idea. He loved gardening and he had a stroke while he was out in the garden. He was 79 so if I go the way of my dad, that’ll be next year.”

The TV star also insisted that he was retiring in order to spend more time with his wife Sue, and his grandchildren, Alice, seven, and Jack, four. While speaking candidly he then suggested that his interviewer, Jenny Johnston, could write his obituary. He told her: “Just write: ‘He was a dance teacher from Dartford who got lucky’. Because that’s just about the truth of it.”

Cancer secret

Len was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2009, which was quickly treated with surgery at a London hospital, however this was not publicly known. Years later, in September 2021 it had been reported that he had undergone surgery the previous year for a small facial melanoma.

According to reports, the cancer returned and spread to his bones, leading to his ultimate demise. Len’s agent, Jackie Gill previously cited the cause of his death as bone cancer when she released the statement.

The statement read: “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.”

When speaking about his health previously, Len said: “I don’t make a fuss about stuff like that. It’s like when you have a car — you keep it serviced but even so, you’ll have some trouble with your carburettor and you’ll need to get it fixed, and eventually the whole thing will conk out, and there you go. It’s more about the journey, and mine has been lovely,” he shared.

Unaware of Len’s sickness

Following Len’s death on April 22 last year, many of his close showbiz friends revealed that they were unaware that he was suffering from a terminal illness. Arlene Phillips who worked with Len on Strictly said she was left in a state of shock when she fond out.

Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, Arlene told presenter Lorraine Kelly: “Bruno [Tonioli] messaged with me yesterday on and off, and he did know that he was ill. I didn’t. He wanted it kept very, very quiet.

“He was a man of great strength. He was out on the golf course early morning, fit as a fiddle, and then cancer invaded. It’s a painful cancer.

“It feels like it happened so fast because one minute there was Len, and then the next minute, you find out that he’s passed away.” Len passed away peacefully at a hospice in Kent, England. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk