Len Goodman's cause of death revealed - what is bone cancer?

Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars judge Len Goodman died on 22 April aged 78 from bone cancer.

The ballroom dancer passed away peacefully in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, leaving the dancing world heartbroken, with tributes pouring in from his co-stars.

Of his sad passing, Len's agent Jackie Gill said in a statement: "It is with great sadness to announce that Len Goodman has passed away peacefully, aged 78.

"A much-loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him." Remind yourself of Len's most memorable moments below.

What did Len Goodman die of?

Len Goodman died of bone cancer. Sadly, this was not the dancer's first experience with the disease. He was also diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2009, plus he underwent surgery in 2020 for a small facial melanoma.

What is bone cancer?

Primary bone cancer is a rare type of cancer that begins in the bones. Around 550 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK, according to the NHS. It normally appears in the arms or legs but can be found in any bone.

This is a separate condition from secondary bone cancer, which is cancer that spreads to the bones after developing in another part of the body. It is not known whether Len has primary or secondary bone cancer.

© Getty

Bone cancer symptoms

Bone cancer symptoms include

• Pain in the bones

• Swelling and redness 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 more easily than normal

• Problems moving around – for example, walking with a limp

Bone cancer treatments

Bone cancer can be treated with surgery to remove the section of cancerous bone. It's often possible to reconstruct or replace the bone that's been removed, but amputation is sometimes necessary.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can also be used to treat bone cancer.

Can you survive bone cancer?

The NHS says that bone cancer is easier to cure in otherwise healthy people whose cancer hasn't spread, adding that 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.

Our thoughts are with Len Goodman's friends and family.