Len Goodman, 70-year-old "Dancing With The Stars" judge, will be leaving the ABC series after 20 seasons on the show
Goodman, who has appeared on "DWTS" since it premiered in 2005, is stepping down from his judging chair due to scheduling and family commitments. He serves as a judge on the British version of the show "Strictly Come Dancing" and is currently awaiting the arrival of his grandson, E! News reported.
"Len will not be returning as a judge this season on 'Dancing with the Stars' due to his schedule as a judge on 'Strictly Come Dancing' in the U.K. and the birth of his new grandson," showrunner Rob Wade said in a statement. "He still might be involved in the season at some capacity, but we will have to wait and see."
In the meantime, Wade said that the competition is "planning on having great guest judges for some shows to join Bruno [Tonioli], Carrie Ann [Inaba] and Julianne [Hough]" and added that fans will probably see Goodman "in the ballroom again soon."
Goodman's departure from the show isn't a surprise since the London native announced last December that he would be leaving his post as the ABC reality hit's head judge.
"Next year, I'm not going to do the flying backwards and forwards - I'm not going to do the American show... I've got to have a bit of time off," Goodman explained, during an interview with Digital Spy. "I've got my wife, I've got my son, my mother is still alive and she's in hospital - I've had virtually no time to go and visit her.
"So, I just need a bit of time off to get on with a normal life. And it was either 'Strictly' went or the American one went or the tour went... I'm doing the spring one when I go out there... and that's going to be my last one."
"Good Morning America" announced the list of professional dancers returning for season 21 of "DWTS," including fan favorites, Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Val Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff. Artem Chigvintsev, Allison Holker, Sharna Burgess, Peta Murgatroyd and Witney Carson were announced as cast members.
Season 21 of "Dancing With the Stars" premieres Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
