Dancing With the Stars judge Len Goodman has died.
“It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78,” his manager Jackie Gill said in a statement obtained by NBC News on April 24. “A much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him.”
According to the BBC, Len Goodman passed away April 22 at a hospice in Kent, England, and was surrounded by his family. The news organization reported his death came after a battle with bone cancer.
Goodman’s death comes five months after the judge, who first joined Dancing With the Stars in 2005, announced his departure from the show, citing his desire to spend more time with his family in Britain. After the professional dancer and coach—who also served as a judge on the BBC program Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2016—passed away, several members of the Dancing With the Stars family paid tribute, including his fellow judges.
“Heart broken my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom legend #lengoodman passed away,” Bruno Tonioli wrote on Instagram April 24 alongside a throwback photo of the duo. “I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together @bbcstrictly @dancingwiththestars they will never be anyone like you we will miss you.”