HEAD judge Len Goodman has been synonymous with Strictly Come Dancing since it launched in 2004.

The 72-year-old ballroom dancing expert, who has served as head judge on the BBC show for over a decade, will be stepping down after tonight's finale.

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.

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, going on become a successful professional dancer and a four-time British champion.

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

A passionate golfer, he once joked that it was a "shame the work gets in the way of the golf".

The Strictly judge is a life-long fan of West Ham United after he first attended a game aged six.

In recent years, Goodman 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.

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.

Strictly veteran Anton Du Beke, 50, is the favourite to join the judging panel after Len's departure.

The professional dancer is tipped by bookmaker William Hill, which is offering odds at 4/6, and by Ladbrokes which has him at evens.

He has been on the show since it started, having partnered with actress Lesley Joseph this series, and frequently takes centre stage in group routines.

It is thought that one of the current judges – Bruno Tonioli, 61, Darcey Bussell, 47, or Craig Revel Horwood, 51 – could be promoted into the head judge role.

But Len, who has become known for his witty comments to contestants, will be a hard acto to follow.

Here are some of his best one-liners:

:: To Countryfile presenter Anita Rani and professional dancer Gleb Savchenko after their tango to Cell Block Tango: "It was like a cow pat on Countryfile. Hot and steamy."

:: To Savchenko and Rani again following their American smooth dance to Unchained Melody: "You flew across the floor like a rampant crab."

:: To The Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge on her foxtrot with professional partner Kevin Clifton: "You floated across that floor like butter on a crumpet."

:: To EastEnders actress Kellie Bright after her salsa with Clifton: "There you were like two sizzling sausages on a BBQ ... Your bum was bionic."

:: To Bright and Clifton again after their samba to Boom! Shake The Room: "There are two things I don't like in this world: babies crying and hip hop."

:: To The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness after his tango with professional partner Aliona Vilani: "You were like a chess master, you plotted your way around that floor. That was a mango of a tango. Delicious."

:: To This Morning presenter Alison Hammond after she performed an American smooth to Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights with professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec: "For me, you can't waft enough."

:: To broadcaster Jeremy Vine and professional partner Karen Clifton on their jive to Splish Splash: "It was like watching a stork who had been struck by lightning."

:: To former shadow chancellor Ed Balls after his tango with professional partner Katya Jones to (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction: "Ed Balls? You're more like lottery balls, you never know what's going to come out next."

:: Comparing Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse's salsa to Vivir Mi Vida to his breakfast porridge: "It was tasty, satisfying with a little bit of oaty flavour".