Sad news broke on Saturday as it was announced that Len Goodman, a judge of the long-running show Dancing with the Stars, had passed away at the age of 78 after a battle with bone cancer.
Goodman had been a part of the show since its inauguration in 2005, but announced last year that it would be his last season due to wanting to spend more time with his family in Britain. He had referred to his time on the show as a “wonderful experience”.
The news was met with an outpouring of tributes on social media.
The show itself noted that Goodman would always be an “icon in the world of ballroom dance” and that they were “devastated” by his passing.
Fellow judge Carrie Ann Inaba described him as a “dancer, teacher, refined gentleman, wonderful storyteller, special soul, mentor, family man and treasured friend”.
Meanwhile, judge Derek Hough said he was “heartbroken” by the news, while Bruno Tonioli remarked that “there will never be anyone like [Goodman]”.