There is good news for Dancing with the Stars fans who have been missing Len Goodman’s curmudgeonly presence on the panel. The grumpy judge will be returning to the dance competition for the upcoming spring cycle!
Len announced the news himself, in a taped greeting during the Dancing with the Stars finale Tuesday night.
“Greetings, everyone. Len Goodman here. Now I’ve been watching the show from the U.K., and I must say everyone has been doing a fantastic job,” Len said in the taped message, “Now you finalists, I want you to give it your all in these last dances. As for the pros, I’ve got a mention for you as well. Listen up: Len is coming back next season. And I don’t want any of your nonsense.”
DWTS producer, Rob Wade, announced in August that Len would not be returning to the show due to his schedule as a judge on the UK version of the program, Strictly Come Dancing, and the birth of his new grandson.
In the past, the autumn months for Len consisted of flying back and forth from Los Angeles to London on a weekly basis in order to serve as judge on both shows.
“Next year, I’m not going to do the flying backwards and forwards – I’m not going to do the American show,” he told Digital Spy last spring, “I’ve got to have a bit of time off.”
It sounds like Len is refreshed and renewed and ready to give those dancers hell again. His expertise and honesty have been sorely missed on the judges panel.
Dancing with the Stars returns to ABC for a 22 season on Monday, March 21.
