After 10 seasons, Len Goodman has decided to step down as a judge on "Dancing With the Stars." The 71-year old celebrity will continue to work on "Strictly Come Dancing" in the United Kingdom.
In a statement to People magazine on Wednesday, Aug. 19, "DWTS" executive producer Rob Wade said, "Len will not be returning as 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 grandson."
Wade said that Goodman might still be involved in the upcoming season at some capacity, and that they are planning on having guest judges to join Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Julianne Hough on the panel.
"I'm sure we'll see Len in the ballroom again soon," he added.
Goodman had already announced in late last year that he would not be part of season 21 of the hit ABC dancing competition show.
"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," said Goodman to People magazine last December.
The 71-year-old professional ballroom dancer added that he needed some time off to "get on with a normal life." He also said that he planned to be a judge on the BBC dancing show "as long as they want me."
Also on Wednesday, the dancing pros for the new season were announced on "Good Morning America." Peta Murgtroyd, Derek Hough, Sharna Burgess; Mark Ballas, Artem Chigvintsev, Allison Holker, and Witney Carson were all announced as cast members for the hit competition show, as well as Val Chmerkovskiy, who won last season with Rumer Willis. On Tuesday, Entertainment Weekly exclusively revealed that Karina Smirnoff is making her return to the show. The pros' celebrity partners will be announced on "GMA" on Sept. 2.
"Dancing with the Stars" season 21 premieres on Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
