A children’s hospice is being given a much-needed cash boost after one of its celebrity ambassadors left them a chunk of money in his will.

Demelza in Sittingbourne has been named in the will of Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman with a donation of £1,000.

The late star was a long-term supporter of Demelza, and was the face of The Goodman Celebration Tree, offering supporters the opportunity to purchase a copper leaf in memory of a loved one.

The professional ballroom dancer also appeared on TV quiz shows Tipping Point: Lucky Stars and The Weakest Link, winning money for Demelza, and lent his voice to its Christmas campaign in 2019.

A spokesman said: ”Len took a starring role in Demelza’s family quiz in 2020 and recorded a heartfelt message of thanks to the team of volunteers who keep our services running. He also gave his time to record three radio adverts for Demelza.”

He is reported to have left the rest of his £4.1m fortune to his wife Sue Barrett and son James, from a previous marriage.

According to The Sun, the will was drawn up in 2020 and requested his estate be divided equally between his wife and son, with the dancer's home in Ightham, near Sevenoaks, being left to Sue while his jewellery was bequeathed to James.

It is understood Len's company, Pleasurable Pastimes Limited, will be split between them.

The 78-year-old passed away from bone cancer at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells in April last year.

James, who followed in his father's footsteps, is a Latin and ballroom dancer at his father's Goodman Dance Academy in Dartford.

Len became a judge on Strictly in 2004 and his final appearance was on the 2016 Christmas Day special.

He announced his retirement from TV six months before he died, one day before his 79th birthday.