Len Goodman had a great chance to show off his professional dancing skills on December 30 -- at his own wedding.
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The 68-year-old Dancing with the Stars judge wed girlfriend Sue Barrett, a 47-year-old dance teacher whom Goodman has been dating for over 10 years, the U.K.'s The Daily Mail newspaper reported.
The couple reportedly got married in a surprise ceremony in London on Sunday in which their 30 unsuspecting guests believed they were simply attending a quiet lunch. The pair's friends and family apparently learned otherwise when the registrar arrived.
"I've had a marvelous day, and now my gorgeous Sue is the new Mrs Goodman... We've had a marvelous day, with marvelous food surrounded by all my dearest friends -- and it didn't go on for too long so it didn't get boring!" Goodman told The Daily Mail.
"Did I pickle my walnuts? Of course I did! I wanted it to be a low-key affair, so we didn't tell anyone except my 96-year-old mum as I didn't want her having a heart attack with the surprise."
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The couple exchanged vows dressed in blue and then reportedly enjoyed a champagne reception complete with a five-course meal afterwards.
"She's gorgeous and makes me very happy -- though she likes to stay out of the limelight. It was a complete surprise to my friends and family today and we've had a fabulous time," Goodman said.
The Dancing with the Stars judge added that he didn't exactly propose in August the traditional way on one knee.
"At my age, no way! I made her go four stairs above me on the staircase so at least she was taller than me, does that count?" Goodman joked.
This marks Goodman's third marriage. He wed champion dance partner Cherry Kingston in 1972 when he was 28-years-old, but they divorced several years later. He then went on to have a long relationship with second wife Lesley, with whom he had a son named James.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski