Len Goodman announces he is leaving ‘DWTS’ as lead judge after 31 seasons

Len Goodman He’s leaving dancing with the Stars after 31 seasons. The head judge made the heartbreaking announcement during the show’s Nov. 14 episode in anticipation of next week’s season finale. “This will be my last season judging ‘Dancing with the Stars,'” Len, 78, said on Monday’s show.

“I have been a part of the program since it started in 2005 and it has been a great pleasure to be part of such a wonderful programme, but I have decided that I want to spend more time with my grandchildren and family in Britain. She continued: “It has been a wonderful experience for me and I am looking forward to the end of next week. I’m sure it will be absolutely brilliant.”

Len’s fellow judges Carrie Ann Inaba Bruno Tonioli Y Derek taking everyone was moved during the surprising announcement, they even shed a few tears. And honestly, we can’t blame them. We will miss Len very much.

Not only did he start out as the head judge, alongside Carrie Ann and Bruno, but then dancing with the Stars when it premiered in 2005, but Len was also head judge of the BBC One dance competition strictly come to dance from 2004 to 2016. And the only season of DWTP extension he didn’t show up it was in season 21 but that’s because he had family schedules and commitments. He had a limited role in season 29 because he didn’t travel to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still produced short segments for the show and was replaced as judge by Derek Hough. When Len returned in Season 30, the three-judge format was expanded to four so Derek could stay on the panel. Right now, it’s unclear whether Disney+ will attempt to fill Len’s vacancy or return to the three-judge format with Derek, Carrie Ann, and Bruno.