Len Goodman May Skip Judging DWTS Due to Covid-19 Travel Ban

DANCING WITH THE STARS - "Dance-Off Week" - Seven celebrity and pro-dancer couples return to the ballroom to compete on the eighth week of the 2019 season of "Dancing with the Stars," live, MONDAY, NOV. 4 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Kelsey McNeal) CARRIE ANN INABA, LEN GOODMAN, BRUNO TONIOLI
(ABC/Kelsey McNeal) CARRIE ANN INABA, LEN GOODMAN, BRUNO TONIOLI

Dancing with the Stars has been renewed by ABC, but without a return date. Unfortunately, because of coronavirus concerns, judge Len Goodman may not make it across the pond to participate.

A ban on flying due to the Covid-19 pandemic means Len, who lives in the UK, may have to sit the next season out. 

The 76 year old told The Sun “I like going over there [Los Angeles] because it’s ten weeks of being in the sun and I only work one day a week.

“But of course there’s this lockdown thing at the moment with only Americans being able to fly in to America or if you’ve got a green card.  I haven’t got either of those so who knows.

“It might all come good but if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

“I’ve had a wonderful time, 12 years with Strictly and I’ve had 12 years with Dancing With The Stars and both have been great.”

At one time, Len judged the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing while also sitting on the Dancing with the Stars panel. The double duty entailed flying back and forth between Los Angeles and London every week. Now, Len only judges DWTS. But if ABC goes ahead with the show in the fall, and the travel ban is still in place, producers will probably have to find a replacement. 

At 76, Len is in a vulnerable group for Covid-19. It’s perfectly understandable if he stays in his house for the time being. 

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Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!