Meet the Judges: Strictly Come Dancing 2009

Recently awarded a Life Achievement Award for his work in dancing, Len splits his time between London and Los Angeles, judging on both ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Dancing With The Stars’.

Len Goodman

Born in Bethnal Green, Len spent his youth as a welder in the London Docks and then pursued his passion for football before injury ended his career. Len then took up ballroom dancing and specialised in a form of dancing called Exhibition, which is all about the lifts. He quickly became a British champion, winning the title four times.

On Strictly Len is more concerned with performance than technique and will be paying more attention to the celebrities than the professional dancers. He will be looking out for good interaction between the couples. Len does not want to see any nerves surfacing on the night.

Bruno Tonioli

Bruno was born in Ferrara, a small Catholic town in north eastern Italy, and grew up watching Hollywood musicals. Bruno went to Rome for ballet lessons, then left Italy to work with the Paris-based dance company La Grande Eugene, before settling in London. He moved into choreography when he worked on the BBC's comedy show ‘Not The Nine O'Clock News’.

Bruno has contributed to films and choreographed for West End shows and a huge range of music videos working with names such as Elton John, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney.

Craig’s work has taken him all over the world and along the way he has picked up a prestigious Olivier Award for his work on the West End musical ‘Spend, Spend, Spend’.

Craig Revel Horwood

Craig was born in Ballarat, Australia, before moving to the bright lights of Melbourne where his career began. He appeared in productions including ‘West Side Story’, ‘La Cage Aux Folles’, ‘Me and My Girl’ and many more. In Europe he joined the Lido Du Paris, the Moulin Rouge, and then the UK productions of ‘Cats’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Miss Saigon’ and ‘Crazy For You’.

He went from dancer to choreographer after a request to teach the steps of ‘Crazy for You’ and is currently both a judge on Strictly and New Zealand’s version.

Alesha Dixon

Alesha first found fame with the band ‘Misteeq’ but went solo following the band's break up, after 6 years together. In 2008 Alesha won the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing and released her first album.

Alesha was born in Welwyn Garden City, and wanted to become a PE teacher - until being spotted by a record producer! She put a University degree on hold to pursue her singing career, and in 2001 ‘Misteeq’ won the MOBO Award for Best Garage Act.

In 2009 Alesha climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief, helping to raise over £1,000,000 alongside fellow climbers including Cheryl Cole and Gary Barlow, and also became an ambassador for the charity, 'Help a London Child'.

She attended her first ballet lesson aged 8, however she only went along because her friends were going. Nevertheless, she soon showed a flair for dance and in 1981 she auditioned for the Royal Ballet School and won one of the eight coveted places, eventually being promoted to Principal.

Darcey Bussell

Her roles included Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. In 2006 Darcey announced her retirement as a principal dancer but stayed as a ‘guest principal artist’ until retiring with a final performance of MacMillan’s Song of Earth in 2007, at the Royal Opera House.

In December 2007 Darcey teamed up with Welsh songstress Katherine Jenkins for the musical called Viva La Diva. Later in this series Darcey will be joining the judging panel as a special guest judge.