‘Dancing with the Stars’ 20: Len Goodman leaving after next season

While many may have seen this news coming, it still does not make us any less sad right now: Len Goodman is nearing the end of his time on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Speaking to Digital Spy in a chat related to his other show “Strictly Come Dancing,” Goodman confirmed that the show’s upcoming spring season is going to be his last before permanently locating himself in the UK:

“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.”

The writing was on the wall for this earlier this year, when Goodman sat out an enormous chunk of the “Dancing with the Stars” season to remain focused on the British show. He will remain a judge overseas on it, but it is a little easier, given that it only airs there once a year in the fall.

While there may have been many changes on the dance competition since its beginning, this is the first time that we have lost a member of the judging panel. Julianne Hough joined the show this fall as a fourth judge, though we wonder if this was done knowing that Len may be leaving the show pretty soon. It is not clear at the moment if ABC will look at adding someone else, but we don’t quite feel that they need to. Leave it to three judges, and then give more time to the dancers and the pros who are actually on the season.

The next “Dancing with the Stars” season, its 20th on the air, will premiere in March.

Overall, what is your reaction to this departure? Share with a comment now, and dance over here if you want to get some other TV updates in your email every week. (Photo: ABC.)