TV ICON Len Goodman said his farewells to the Dancing with the Stars team while “laughing and joking” during his final season – as most were kept in the dark about his cancer battle.
A source has exclusively told The U.S Sun that the production crew was unaware that the 78-year-old head judge was battling a terminal illness last November.
Dancing With The Stars Judge Len Goodman has passed away this week, his rep confirmed on Monday
He first joined the popular TV show as a head judge during the first season in 2005
Goodman remained in great spirits as team members felt that he was “slowing down a little.”
But any question marks about his health were “put down to the fact he was getting close to 80.”
The former English ballroom dancer champion was cracking jokes off-camera all the way through filming despite being “visibly frailer” than in the past.
One insider revealed to The U.S. Sun: “Len was such a pro that the moment the cameras and light came on, he became the consummate showman.”
The source says he even joked on set to bosses: “Don’t bother asking me to do a dance for my farewell, because that ain’t happening, I just like to shuffle around these days!'”
According to reports, he had been in a hospice in Kent, England before he died on Saturday.
A separate show insider said: “The news about Len caught many of the production team by surprise today.
FRAIL STAR
“There was an enormous feeling of sadness and grief because Len had brought so much fun and joy to the show, as well as being a perfect professional.
“Last Fall, Len was certainly less of a presence around and while he looked thin, that frailty was just thought of as him getting older.
“Obviously, now the suggestion is that he was dealing with something very aggressive and keeping it to himself.
“When the cameras came on, audiences would have never known what was going on.
“You could never take away his passion for dance and love for the show. He took great pride in giving criticism which was not cruel, but constructive. All the dancers and contestants held him in the highest respect.
“Off camera, he was a delight to be around. He was a humble, polite, and kind-hearted human being.
“No one had a bad word to say about him and treated everyone like a friend. He was a really positive energy throughout his whole time and a real team player.”
They continued: “When the farewell screen package was played about him, there was no major production leaving party. It was an understated exit.
“Again, he was not one to have a big ego about these types of things, so that didn’t really surprise people.
LAST MOMENTS
“Truthfully no one really felt that would be the last time we saw Len either.
“Like all DWTS alums, there is always that thought, ‘Oh Len will come back as a surprise in the next couple of seasons.’
“Sadly that will not happen now.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to the star’s rep for comment.
Len reduced his workload a lot in the last season, shying away from media interviews on the post-show red carpet.
One production member revealed that he also decreased the number of games of golf at the Wilshire Country Club, which he enjoyed during the week before shows.
The source added: “There is already talk that producers plan to pay tribute to him when the show returns later in the year – or dedicate the series to him.”
In November, Len told People Magazine in a phone interview that he decided to quit before he fell asleep or “started dribbling” on set.
Dance maestro Len, who had been on the show since 2005, vowed to spend more time with his grandchildren.
SHOW HISTORY
The star has served double duty as head judge in two televised ballrooms, starting first with Strictly Come Dancing in the UK from 2004 to 2016, before joining DWTS in 2005.
The star added: “Doing a live show you have to be at the top of your game and quick to react. And as one gets older, then things start to get more challenging.
“I haven’t fallen asleep or started dribbling yet on the show, so I thought it’s best to go before I start to do so!
“I will miss the California sunshine, working with my fellow judges, and the camaraderie with everyone on the show.
“I’ll miss seeing the celebrities developing into dancers and I will miss being part of one of the most successful shows on TV.”
Professional ballroom dancer Len first joined DWTS as a head judge during the show’s first season in 2005.
He was joined by Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, who has continued to serve on the judge’s panel for all 31 seasons.
Goodman earned around $1.2million a year for his stint working on the series for four months at a time.
The star during happy times on the series pictured with his fellow judges
The dance icon was being cared for at a hospice in Kent, England before his death
The showbiz industry has paid tribute to the much-loved TV star this week
