Professional dancer Cheryl Burke has confirmed she’s leaving Dancing With the Stars, but judges Julianne Hough and Len Goodman will be returning along with the other judges.
Burke is the only pro dancer confirmed not to be participating in the next season of DWTS, confirming this week that she won’t seek a contract renewal.
Burke had talked on-and-off about leaving the show, but it wasn’t a sure thing until now. She lasted until week 6 with Antonio Sabato Jr. in the just-finished season 19.
“Cheryl has been on the show for close to 10 years,” the show’s executive producer Rob Wade told TheWrap. “She has done a great service to the show and I think she feels that it’s time for her to move on.”
But Wade noted that the departure--and other possible departures or breaks among the pro dancers--opens up opportunity for others.
“We'll only survive as a show if we keep innovating and changing. It’s very sad to see cast members leave, but again that gives you the opportunity to grow,” he said.
“So, I’m quite positive about having the opportunity to bring new people in or bring back some of the old faces.”
Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Val Chmerkovskiy, and Witney Carson are almost certain to return after finishing in the top four unless they choose to take a break or leave. Keo Motsepe will likely get another shot after exiting the first week in his first season with the show, while many of the others performed well including Artem Chigvintsev and Peta Murgatroyd.
