Len Goodman and Cheryl Burke Confirm Departure From 'Dancing with the Stars'
"Dancing With the Stars" just ended its 19th season, and come the spring airing of the show, one of its pro dancers will not be returning for good, and the upcoming season is also said to be the final one for one of its judges.
DWTS head judge Len Goodman has been with the show since its very first season, but he told reporters gathered at for the U.K. dance series, "Strictly Come Dancing," that next spring will be his last season on the ABC show.
"Next year, I'm not going to do the flying backwards and forwards— I'm not going to do the American show … I've got to have a bit of time off," he said.
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Goodman has sat beside Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli at the judge's table since 2005. This past season, former DWTS pro dancer Julianne Hough joined them at the table. An insider at E! News said that the people behind the scenes of the show brought in Hough knowing that Goodman will be leaving the show soon.
"Dancing with the Stars— next year is their 10th year, it's their 20th series of the show. So I think that's a nice place to stop," Goodman said.
Meanwhile, pro dancer Cheryl Burke will not be returning to "Dancing With the Stars" for a new variety show on NBC.
In an interview with E! News, Burke revealed that she would love to have a place at the DWTS judging table saying, "This is my family. I've been a part of the show for the last decade. I started when I was 20, I'm 30 now. And if they would ask me to be a judge, I'd love to."
NBC has not disclosed details on what the show will be, but the show will reportedly have a competitive element and Burke will perform.
"Dancing is what I've done since I was a little girl," said Burke to People Magazine. "But it was very clear [Dancing with the Stars] only wanted me back as a dancer. They weren't interested in using me for other things and letting me grow."
