Who is Len Goodman’s wife? Late ‘Dancing with the Stars’ judge married ‘wonderful’ Sue Barrett at age 68

Sue Barrett is also a dancer and teacher just like Len Goodman, who was 20 years older than her

UPDATED APR 24, 2023

Len Goodman died in hospice care in Kent (Simon Burchell/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND: Len Goodman has tragically died at the age of 78 after a battle with bone cancer. The much-loved ‘Dancing with the Stars’ judge died peacefully on Saturday, April 22, in hospice care in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, following a short illness. "I can confirm he died peacefully over the weekend surrounded by his family," a spokeswoman for Len said.

Goodman, who was the sole head judge on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ from 2005 until 2022, was a professional dancer and teacher who became a national treasure after auditioning for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ aged 60. He is survived by his wife Sue Barrett and son James William Goodman, whom he shares with a woman named Lesley. Goodman was 68 years old when he exchanged vows with his "wonderful wife" Barrett in a secret ceremony. The ceremony, held in Central London, was attended by just 30 friends and family members of the pair.

'Dancing With the Stars' judge Len Goodman dies in hospice care while surrounded by family at 78

Who is Len Goodman's wife Sue Barrett and does he have children? pic.twitter.com/eSdVU3H3zb
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Who is Sue Barrett?

Barrett is also a dancer and teacher just like her famous husband, who was 20 years older than her. Goodman and Barrett lived in Kent, where they ran a school. Not much is known about her, as Goodman previously stated that she "likes to stay out of the limelight." Being happily married for 10 years, the pair enjoyed an eternal bond as Len never let go of any chance to describe her as "my wonderful Sue" who made him "very happy." The couple dated each other for 10 years before getting married in December 2012.

Len Goodman attends the red carpet launch for "Strictly Come Dancing" at Elstree Studios on September 3, 2013 in Borehamwood, England (Eamonn M McCormack/Getty Images)

How did Len Goodman meet Sue Barrett?

The couple first met in the early 2000s when Goodman bumped into Barrett at his golf club in Essex and asked her to run his dance studio in Kent, according to OK. The couple soon felt a spark and started dating but decided to keep their relationship out of the limelight. Before meeting Sue, Len was married to his champion dance partner Cherry Kingston, whom he divorced just a couple of years after their marriage. He then moved on to have a long-term relationship with a woman named Lesley, and they soon welcomed their son, James, according to Mirror.

Judge Len Goodman attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing' Season 8 Launch Show at BBC Television Centre on September 8, 2010 in London, England. — Judge Len Goodman attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing' Season 8 Launch Show at BBC Television Centre on September 8, 2010 in London, England (Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

Goodman and Barrett tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in 2012. As previously mentioned, the couple had invited only 30 of their friends and family, including fellow 'Strictly' star Anton du Beke, who were told they were attending a “quiet Sunday lunch” at private dining club Mosimann’s in Belgravia, as per the Telegraph. "I knew I'd found the woman I wanted to be with for the rest of my life, so why not get married?" Goodman told DailyMail about his decision to marry Sue. He added, "I've said before I'm selfish and that doesn't equate well for marriage, but my wonderful Sue got that out of me. I've become totally unselfish and I think that's because it's true love."