Strictly Come Dancing fans were greeted with the sad news on Monday (April 24) that former head judge Len Goodman has died.
The former British champion ballroom dancer passed away aged 78 from bone cancer, his agent Jackie Gill has said.
She added: “[He was] a much-loved husband, father, and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.”.
As a dancing judge, he was best known for his spell on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2016. He also presented one-off specials and appeared on the US equivalent of Strictly, Dancing with the Stars, from 2004 to 2016.
BBC director-general Tim Davie said: “Len Goodman was a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions. He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family.”
What is bone cancer?
Bone cancer is a rare form of the disease and only around 550 people are diagnosed in the UK each year.
The NHS says it is a separate condition from secondary bone cancer, which is cancer that spreads to the bones after developing in another part of the body.
What are the symptoms of bone cancer?
The health service’s website says the main symptoms include:
- persistent bone pain that gets worse over time and continues into the night
- swelling and redness (inflammation) over a bone, which can make movement difficult if the affected bone is near a joint
- a noticeable lump over a bone
- a weak bone that breaks (fractures) more easily than normal
- problems moving around — for example, walking with a limp
There are three different types of bone cancer. Osteosarcoma affects mostly children, ewing sarcoma is most often seen in adults between 10 and 20, with chondrosarcoma in adults aged 40 or over.
What treatments are available for bone cancer?
Treatment for bone cancer depends on the type of the disease. In terms of treatment, the NHS says options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Amputation can also be a last resort.
Is bone cancer usually fatal?
The NHS says: “The outlook for bone cancer depends on factors such as your age, the type of bone cancer you have, how far the cancer has spread (the stage), and how likely it is to spread further (the grade).
“Generally, bone cancer is much easier to cure in otherwise healthy people whose cancer hasn’t spread.
“Overall, around six in every 10 people with bone cancer will live for at least five years from the time of their diagnosis, and many of these may be cured completely.”
