Better Late Than Never: From Barrow Boy to Ballroom

by Len Goodman

Better Late Than Never is the extraordinary story of how a man born into poverty in London's East End went on to find stardom late in life when he was chosen to be head judge on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing . Len will be telling all about his new found fame, not only his experiences on Strictly Come Dancing , but also on Dancing with Stars and his encounters with the likes of Heather Mills-McCartney. But the real story is in his East End roots. And Len's early life couldn't be more East End. The son of a Bethnal Green costermonger, he spent his formative years running the fruit and veg barrow and being bathed at night in the same water they used to cook the beetroot. There are echoes of Billy Elliot too. Though Len was a welder in the London Docks, he dreamed of being a professional footballer, and came close to making the grade had he not broken his foot on Hackney Marshes. The doctor recommended ballroom dancing as a light aid to his recovery. And Len, it turned out, was a natural. At first his family and coworkers mocked, but soon he had made the final of a national competition and the welders descended on mass to the Albert hall to cheer him on. With his dance partner, and then wife Cheryl, Len won the British Championships in his late twenties and retired soon after. Funny and heart warming, Len's autobiography is full of honest East End charm.

Genres: Biography, Autobiography

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2008

Reviews

[Antof9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dangit. I read this one really quickly, right before Thanksgiving, I think, and then didn't get my review written and got sucked into the holiday whirlwind! And now it's 2009 and I must remember what I was going to write!

First, let me say that I loved Len Goodman before, but I really love him now! I would love to be in his circle of friends :) I think for Americans, we hear his accent (A British accent, unless obviously cockney, sounds high-brow/posh to us, whether it is or isn't), we see him being "the mean judge", and we think he's more stiff and uptight than he really is. After reading this book, he's more what I thought he might be: plain-spoken, a bit of a jokester, light-hearted, and fun to be around.

I love this quote, and also the way he intoduces it: I suddenly thought about something my old dad used to say to me. "Work is only something you don't like doing."

Len's description of his first date is one of the reasons I liked him so much (well, really, it's because the whole book is written this way -- this is just a great example): It must have been hot in the pictures, either that or nerves were playing a part, because our hands were both wet with sweat by the end of the first film. ... The second film was barely past the opening credits when I put my arm around her and Sally's head rested on my shoulder. It was like Anthony and Cleopatra. There was only one problem: her hair was so highly lacquered it was like having a Brillo pad rubbing against my face. And it smelled; it was like sniffing glue, which I think added to my feeling that I was getting high. Despite everything, I knew that this was the best thing that had ever happened in my life.

More good advice from Len's dad: "If someone is big enough to apologise, you be big enough to accept it." That should be a PSA!

Len's full of homespun wisdom. He says, It reminds me of an old story about what are the three hardest things in the world to do? Climb a wall that's leaning towards you, kiss a girl leaning away from you and criticise someone who's looking directly at you.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE: I was given this book by my manager at work a few days ago, so I thought I'd post an honest review after reading it. And I'm glad I did read it - just like the man himself, it's an absolute charm! It's more about his life story than Strictly Come Dancing. I loved him before and I love him even more now. I am still so sorry for accidentally offending him back in February (long story), and I am still absolutely ashamed of myself for doing so, and I hope he finds it in his heart to forgive me for it one day.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow start and doesn't have much focus on dance, so not quite what I expected. Nonetheless, it's an easy read, candid and provides insight and perspective on TV's head ballroom judge.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

A likeable bloke but not too insightful. Light reading for fans only.

[Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a lovely man he is funny and entertaining what a shame he has recently died interesting book and i enjoyed it a lot

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. I got the book from libby and loved every second of it. Definitely better than a 7 lol

[Laura of Lurking · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was only familiar with Len from Strictly Come Dancing, and its American counterpart, so like the autobiography of his co-judge Craig this was an interesting read and taught me a lot about where he gets his style, sayings, and experience from.

He had an unusual life, a real rags to riches story, with plenty of highs and lows. I found the whole book colourful and interesting, although I felt descriptions of individual dances and competitions were a bit long in places for the average reader (images placed throughout the book, or in some case diagrams may have helped!).

Reading about the behind the scenes of the TV shows most of us know his from was very interesting, and it made some incidents make more sense, like how they are discouraged from speaking to the celebrities off stage.

A good book I think for someone who has followed his entire career, as well as someone who just knows him through recent fame. I also think it is a nice snapshot of life growing up in the post war years for your average Jack the lad

Len, there's still plenty of sizzle in your sausage!

[Stan Bebbington · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly interesting and honest book. Not quite an ordinary life and joining the hit TV programme "Strictly Come Dancing" is not the only achievement worth mentioning. He comes out as an interesting and likeable character. It was made more stimulating because I knew the area he lived in around Dartford in Kent.

[James Kinsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know Len Goodman, you know what to expect. If you don't, there's probably little point reading this. But it is a fun read. Naff, cheesy, for sure. And some stories I'm not sure I'd share if it was me, but that's Len, mind-boggling at times, but clearly good-hearted. And doesn't seem ghost-written, certainly sounds like him.

[Readersaurus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Readable. More about Goodman's life story than about dancing. I would have loved a little more detail about what makes a goo dance performance, the key elements of each style of dance, or daily life on one of the dance shows. Lots of British slang that I had to look up or get from context, which was fun and interesting.

[Bethnoir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and light, amusing photos too.

[Alison Gray]

Nice to learn more about the life of the man who taught me many a great routine!

[Ashlyn L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Superfical account of a life and a bit dull

[David Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable life story of a character with more than a twinkle in his eye!

[Ann Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 2011

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit slow to get into, and last chapter was basically name dropping, but a good read. Timed nicely with the new series of strictly starting.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who dances or loves Strictly this is an amusing read. Len certainly is a character and there is some interesting background to the dancing world in this book.

[Colette Flaherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit hard to get into, but it basically did what it was supposed. Told Len Goodman's life.

[Samweir · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not a bad book, but it was nothing special. It's only worth reading if you're interested in the person. Only for the fans.

[Ann Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Len through and through - told in his inimitable style, and quite coarse in places - which is why I didn't give it 5*. If you don't mind that, this book is great.