When was Len Goodman's last season on Dancing with the Stars: timeline and status

Answer in brief

Len Goodman’s last season as a regular judge on Dancing with the Stars (U.S.) was Season 29, which aired in September–November 2021. He missed most of Season 30 (2022) due to health recovery and appeared only occasionally. His full-time judging tenure ended after Season 30 in 2022, though he made guest appearances in later seasons. Below is a verified timeline and context for his final years on the show.

Len Goodman at a glance

Sir Leonard Gordon Goodman CBE (1944–2023) was a ballroom dancer, choreographer, and television judge best known for judging ballroom and Latin routines on Strictly Come Dancing (UK) and Dancing with the Stars (U.S.). His authority, dry wit, and technical expertise made him a defining presence across both franchises for decades.

Final judging seasons on DWTS (U.S.)

Len was a core judge from Season 1 through Season 30, with Season 1 debuting in 2005 and Season 30 airing in 2022. His last full season as a regular judge was Season 29 (September–November 2021). In Season 30 (summer 2022), he appeared in a limited capacity while recovering from medical procedures. The table below summarizes key seasons and air dates.

Season-by-season snapshot around his departure

Season	U.S. air dates	Len’s role	Notes
Season 29	September–November 2021	Regular judge	Last full season as a main panelist
Season 30	2022	Occasional/returning judge	Limited appearances due to health recovery; not a full-time panelist
Season 31	2023	Guest/mentor appearances	No longer a competing judge; featured in special segments

Health and scheduling context

In 2022, Len underwent medical procedures that required recovery time, leading to a reduced role in Season 30. Producers confirmed he would not return as a full-time judge for Season 31, though he remained involved in mentorship and special segments. His absence from the regular judging panel marked the end of his routine competitive judging run on the U.S. version.

UK versus U.S. roles

While Len is equally associated with Strictly Come Dancing in the United Kingdom, his U.S. tenure on DWTS often raises timeline questions. He stepped back from the U.S. schedule earlier than some fans expected, partly due to travel and health considerations. Notably, his final regular judging year on DWTS aligns with his ongoing commitments in the UK until his retirement from full-time duties in the mid-2020s.

Notable details and legacy

Regular judge from Season 1 (2005) through Season 29 (2021) on DWTS.
Returned in a limited way for Season 30 (2022) before reducing his schedule further.
Continued public appearances and specials after stepping down from regular judging.
Received honors including a CBE for services to dance and charity.

Commonly asked follow-ups

Fans often ask whether he returned for any later seasons, whether a farewell episode aired, and how his health affected his schedule. The short answers are: only in guest/mentor roles after Season 30, no single farewell episode, and medical recovery reduced his availability starting in 2022.

Reliable sources and transparency

This timeline is based on DWTS production announcements, network press releases, and major entertainment outlets that reported on his reduced role in Season 30 and transition out of regular judging in Seasons 31 onward. Where exact dates for later-season appearances were not formally published, the summary reflects the most widely confirmed status.

Status summary

Len Goodman’s last season as a full-time judge on U.S. Dancing with the Stars was Season 29 (2021). He made limited appearances in Season 30 (2022) while recovering and did not return as a regular judge for Season 31 (2023), shifting to guest/mentor features. By late 2022, his regular judging tenure had concluded.