![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/len-goodmans-life-after-strictly/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/0_Strictly-Come-Dancing-TV-show-launch.jpg&description=Len Goodman is waltzing away from Dancing With The Stars after 17 wonderful years - and will be heading back to the UK permanently. The former Strictly Come Dancing head judge, famous for his 'sevEN' catchphrase, announced he had decided to quit the American version of the popular dancing show during Monday night's semi-finals. Revealing next week's final would be his last show, he told the audience: "I've been with the show since it started in 2005 and it has been a huge pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful show, but I've decided I'd like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain." Len was in the original judging line-up of Strictly when it first aired in 2004 and on the US spin-off when it launched the following year, but he decided doing both versions was too much. Len Goodman was the first Strictly Come Dancing head judge ( BBC/Guy Levy) Len was a firm favourite on Strictly ( PA) After eight years of Strictly, Len walked away in 2016 and was replaced as head judge by old friend Shirley Ballas, who is still in that role today. "In 2004, I was asked to take part in a brand new BBC Saturday night show and who would have thought me, old Len Goodman, would still be part of this amazing series more than 10 years on," Len said at the time. "This adventure began when I was 60 and now that I've reached my 70s, I've decided after this year it's time to hand the role of Head Judge to someone else. "It is an honour being part of the wonderful Strictly Come Dancing family and I'm looking forward to my last series very much and to whatever comes next." The dance teacher, who only became a household name in his 60s when he found fame on Strictly, went on to explain the reasons behind his decision to quit. Insisting he was "only a cog in the Strictly wheel", he said: "It's really nice people say we're going to miss you and I'd rather they say that than, 'Thank God you're going'. "But I've done it for 12 years. I want to spend a bit more time with){kind=link}
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman, who was replaced as head judge by Shirley Ballas after quitting in 2016, has announced he is retiring from Dancing With The Stars
Len Goodman is waltzing away from Dancing With The Stars after 17 wonderful years – and will be heading back to the UK permanently.
The former Strictly Come Dancing head judge, famous for his ‘sevEN’ catchphrase, announced he had decided to quit the American version of the popular dancing show during Monday night’s semi-finals.
Revealing next week’s final would be his last show, he told the audience: “I’ve been with the show since it started in 2005 and it has been a huge pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful show, but I’ve decided I’d like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain.”
Len was in the original judging line-up of Strictly when it first aired in 2004 and on the US spin-off when it launched the following year, but he decided doing both versions was too much.