Strictly Come Dancing head judge Len Goodman is to step down after the next series, the BBC has announced.

The 72-year-old has led the judging panel since the show started 12 years ago.

He will be joined by fellow judges Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood for his final series, as well as presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Goodman's famous catchphrases include "it's a 10 from Len", "pickle my walnuts" and "se-ven!".

In the US he is best-known for television dance programme Dancing With The Stars (DWTS), splitting his time between Los Angeles and London.

He stepped down as a DWTS judge for the 2015 series to spend more time with family, but reversed his decision and decided to return a year later.

Judge Len Goodman arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London
Judge Len Goodman arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London

Bethnal Green-born Goodman started his career as an apprentice welder in Woolwich and was also a footballer.

He began dancing at the age of 19 and went on to a successful professional dancing career, becoming a four-time British champion.

Aside from his television career, Goodman runs a ballroom dancing school, the Goodman Dance Centre, in Kent.

In recent years, the Strictly judge has turned to documentary-making, looking back on the history of dance as well as his own life.

In 2013, he presented BBC Four programme Len Goodman's Dance Band Days and hosted Len Goodman's Perfect Christmas on BBC One.

He also presented the BBC Four show Dancing Cheek to Cheek alongside historian Lucy Worsley.

The Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2012 Judges, Left to Right Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli at The Liverpool Echo Arena
The Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2012 Judges, Left to Right Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli at The Liverpool Echo Arena

In Len and Ainsley's Big Food Adventure, he teamed up with former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ainsley Harriott for a 10-part series about world cuisine in England and Wales.

Goodman has been married twice, firstly to dancing partner Cherry Kingston and, in 2012, to his companion of over 10 years, dance teacher Sue Barrett.

He has one son, James Goodman.

James has followed in his father's footsteps, teaching Latin and ballroom at the Goodman Dance Centre.

The Strictly judge has spoken about his joy at becoming a grandfather last year to James's daughter, Alice.

Goodman was treated for prostate cancer in 2009 but did not take any time off from Strictly or DWTS.