Len Goodman stands down as judge on Dancing With The Stars - BBC

Former Strictly Come Dancing justice Len Goodman has announced helium is leaving the show's US version, Dancing With The Stars, aft 17 years.

Goodman, 78, was connected the sheet erstwhile Strictly launched connected BBC One successful 2004 and joined Dancing With the Stars the pursuing year.

He starred successful some shows until 2016, erstwhile helium decided to measurement down from the UK original.

The erstwhile nonrecreational ballroom dancer has present revealed helium is stepping down from the US amusement too, saying helium wants to "spend much clip with my grandchildren and family" backmost successful the UK.

Goodman announced the quality during Monday's semi-final occurrence of Dancing With The Stars and received a lasting ovation from the audience.

"I cannot convey you enough, the Dancing With The Stars family, it's been specified a fantastic acquisition for me," helium said.

The show's big Tyra Banks described Goodman arsenic a "living legend" pursuing his announcement, adding that galore of the US show's professionals had grown up watching him dance.

Goodman's last quality connected Strictly Come Dancing successful the UK was connected the 2016 Christmas Day Special. He was replaced arsenic caput justice by Shirley Ballas.

Fellow justice Bruno Tonioli besides appeared connected some Strictly and Dancing With The Stars simultaneously. The Italian precocious stepped down arsenic a justice connected the British amusement but is continuing connected the US version.

When Goodman near Strictly, helium told ITV amusement Lorraine: "I did it for 12 years, and I wasn't getting excessively dithery, but determination comes a clip when... I conscionable couldn't support going backmost and forwards."

Goodman started dancing erstwhile helium was 19 and went connected to triumph assorted competitions including the British Championships successful Blackpool.

He besides owns a creation schoolhouse successful Dartford, Kent, called the Goodman Academy.