Len Goodman (1944–2023)

Len Goodman is one of the judges on the BBC's ballroom competition 'Strictly Come Dancing', and now on the American version 'Dancing with the Stars' - that's the height of his celebrity, and he is the first to admit as much. He may be unfamiliar to anyone outside the ballroom community or Saturday night television, but 60+ years of the 'rise and fall' of life still makes for an entertaining story!

Bred if not born an EastEnder, Len was raised with the kind of homespun wisdom and droll humour that he now dispenses on television, taking advantage of every opportunity and learning from experience - failed relationships (his first wife was his dancing partner, the daughter of his ballroom mentor, who ran off with a Frenchman), good friends and a determined work ethic. Success came late in life - he met his current partner in his 50s, and found fame in his 60s - but his life story is evenly paced and full of funny anecdotes and insights into what made him who he is today. Two stories had actually had me in hysterics - his mate playing the dancing class clown ('I'm confused - one of my legs are both alike!') and the mental image of Len's first and only attempt at decorating - but that's probably just me.

Although this biography is ghost-written, Len's voice and personality shine through, and I found him friendly, forthright and endearing. Fellow judge Craig Revel-Horwood has also published his 'story', but I am waiting for Bruno to set pen to paper!… (mer)