Long before he became the beloved, sharp-tongued head judge on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars, Len Goodman was a young professional dancer navigating the high-pressure world of competitive ballroom. His first marriage to fellow dancer Cherry Kingston remains one of the most talked-about chapters of his early life, largely defined by an abrupt ending, a dramatic separation, and a lifestyle shift that altered his trajectory.
Understanding what happened during Goodman's first marriage requires looking past tabloid exaggerations to examine the reality of a relationship forged entirely inside the intense bubble of competitive dance. This piece breaks down the origins of their relationship, the warning signs that preceded the wedding, the sudden dissolution involving a wealthy French acquaintance, and how Goodman rebuilt his life afterward.
The Ballroom Origins: How Len Met Cherry Kingston
Len Goodman and Cherry Kingston met during the late 1960s and early 1970s while competing on the British dance circuit. In those years, Goodman was deeply immersed in grueling training regimens, eventually capturing the British Exhibition Champion title.
Partnerships in professional dance frequently blur the line between professional collaboration and romance. Because dancers spend hours every day rehearsing, traveling, and performing together, relationships often form out of sheer proximity. Goodman later admitted that convenience played a massive role in their romance. They lived in each other's pockets, sharing the same social circles, competitive ambitions, and studio spaces.
By the time they decided to marry in April 1972—just two days after Goodman turned 28—they were fixtures in the UK dance community. However, the foundation of the relationship was built almost entirely on shared professional goals rather than deep emotional compatibility.
Red Flags and a Chaotic Wedding Day
In his memoirs, Goodman was remarkably candid about the fact that his first wedding was preceded by warning signs he chose to ignore. Just two weeks before the ceremony, his father suffered a massive heart attack in a doctor's surgery waiting room, requiring an emergency quadruple bypass operation ten days before the wedding.
Despite his father recovering in the hospital and the obvious emotional strain, the wedding proceeded as planned. The chaos continued right up to the ceremony, where a mix-up with the church banns added to the mounting tension.
The tipping point occurred during the wedding reception itself. Just as the starter was served, Goodman was pulled away to take a hospital phone call informing him that his father had suffered a severe relapse and might not survive the night. Goodman spent his wedding night at his father's bedside rather than with his new bride, creating a rift that he noted Cherry never truly forgave.
The Split and the Monte Carlo Turning Point
The marriage struggled under the weight of mismatched expectations and fading common interests. The definitive break came when Cherry traveled to Monte Carlo.
During a casino visit on the trip, Cherry crossed paths with a wealthy French man referred to in accounts as "Michael". The connection was immediate. Shortly after returning, Cherry informed Goodman that she wanted a divorce to pursue a life with the multi-millionaire.
While Goodman was initially shocked, he later acknowledged a pragmatic view of the situation. He recognized that their marriage had essentially run its course and that the separation was fueled by a lifestyle change he could not offer at the time. The divorce marked the permanent end of his competitive dance partnership with Cherry, forcing him to completely restructure his personal and professional life.
The Lawn Incident and Moving On
True to his blunt, no-nonsense persona, Goodman's reaction to the final breakdown of the marriage was swift and theatrical. Following Cherry's departure for Paris with her mother, Goodman took matters into his own hands.
Rather than letting belongings sit in limbo, he gathered all of Cherry's remaining clothes, furs, records, and personal items—including a nest of tables—and laid them out meticulously across her mother's front lawn in Bexley Heath. It was a definitive, albeit dramatic, closing statement to the marriage.
Following the divorce, Goodman entered a relationship with Lesley, the former wife of Black Sabbath manager Wilf Pine, with whom he welcomed his son, James. Decades later, Goodman found lasting peace and companionship when he met his second wife, Sue Barrett, at a golf club in 2002, marrying her in a quiet ceremony in 2012. Sue remained by his side until his passing in April 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Len Goodman married to Cherry Kingston?
Len Goodman and Cherry Kingston were married in April 1972. Their relationship ultimately dissolved in the late 1970s, leading to a formal divorce finalized in 1987.
Did Len Goodman and Cherry Kingston have children together?
No, the couple did not have any children during their marriage. Goodman later had a son named James with his partner Lesley during the 1980s.
Why did Len Goodman's first marriage end?
The marriage struggled due to fundamental incompatibilities and the fading glue of their shared professional dance career. The final separation occurred after Cherry met a wealthy French businessman while visiting Monte Carlo and subsequently asked for a divorce.
How many times was Len Goodman married?
Len Goodman was married twice. His first marriage was to Cherry Kingston, and his second and final marriage was to dance instructor Sue Barrett, whom he wed in 2012 and remained with until his death.
