ABC 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 20 Cast News 2014: Judge Len Goodman Leaving DWTS, Is Still Committed to 'Strictly Come Dancing'
Professional ballroom dancer Len Goodman has announced his decision to leave his position as a dance judge on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" after the upcoming season.
Goodman -- a U.K. native who is one of the original judges on "DWTS" -- named the constant traveling between the U.K. and the U.S. as the reason for his departure from the show during a recent 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," he explained. "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."
Though Goodman fans will no longer see him judging on "Dancing With the Stars" after its upcoming season, they will still get the chance to watch him on the U.K. version of the celebrity dancing competition show, "Strictly Come Dancing."
Goodman explained that his loyalty lies with BBC, and therefore he will continue on with the U.K. show.
"I will do 'Strictly' as long as they want me," he said. "Eventually, they will say, 'He's getting too old and fat now, Goodman, we'll have to get shot of him.' But all the time they would like me to do it, I will be doing it."
Goodman also credits "Strictly Come Dancing" as the reason he was able to appear on "Dancing With the Stars" for nine years.
"Listen, let me tell you that without 'Strictly' coming along 10 years ago when I was 60 years old -- without them coming along and asking me to be one of the judges, I would never have done anything," he said. "I'd never have done the American show, I'd never do other little things that I've done."
Despite Goodman's departure, his fellow "Strictly Come Dancing" judge Bruno Tonioli will continue appearing "Dancing With the Stars" as well as its U.K. companion.
Goodman's last season of "Dancing With the Stars" will air next year on ABC, Digital Spy reports.
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