The late Len Goodman, Dancer

Len Goodman was born in 1944 in Kent, and grew up in Bethnal Green. He started his working life as an apprentice welder, and only began dancing at the late age of 19, after his doctor recommended it following a foot injury.

He turned professional soon after, won various competitions - including the British Championships in his late twenties - and went on to dance and teach for the next 40 years.

By the time Strictly came calling Len was in his 60s and considering retirement. Instead, he would become the head judge on the show, staying in the role from the show’s inception in 2004 to 2016. He died at in 2023 at the age of 78.

Len Goodman became the Listed Londoner in 2013.