"Living legend" Len Goodman is leaving "Dancing with the Stars" after 17 years

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" is losing one of its original judges and one of ballroom dancing's most iconic participants. On Monday night's episode, Len Goodman announced that after 17 years, this season of the show will be his last. 

Goodman has been the lead judge of the show since its inception in 2005. According to his biography on the show's site, Goodman has become "well-respected" in the dance community worldwide. The 78-year-old's "entire adult life" has been dedicated to ballroom dance, in all aspects, from performing to instructing and judging. 

On "Dancing with the Stars," he has judged more than 3,000 routines. But after 17 seasons, he said Monday that he is ready to spend more time at home.