Cheryl Burke is leaving Dancing With The Stars (Picture: REX)
Professional dancer Cheryl Burke confirmed her exit from Dancing With The Stars after 26 seasons.
The ballroom and Latin pro has been a regular on the hit series after making her debut in 2005, and has been partnered with the likes of Rob Kardashian and Jack Osbourne.
Cheryl, 38, announced her departure in an Instagram post of her on the dance floor and hailed the move as ‘the hardest decision.
‘I am sitting here full of so many conflicting emotions about the words I am about to write,’ she penned.
‘Tomorrow night will officially be my final dance as a pro dancer on @dancingwiththestars. This has been one of the absolute hardest decisions of my life & I am also confident that it is the right one.’
Cheryl also credited the show as her ‘2nd family’ and thanked the team for their support as she gears up for a new chapter.
She continued: ‘Though there aren’t enough words to express my deep gratitude & love to my entire DWTS family I will end with this: thank you for being my rock & foundation for close to two decades during the difficult moments & most of all, thank you for giving ballroom dancing the credit & attention it deserves.
‘You have not only brought joy to millions upon millions of viewers every season, you have brought light & so much love into my heart & soul when I’ve needed it most.
‘This has truly been the experience of a lifetime. I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my career, but man will this one be hard to beat! Until next time…Love you all, always & forever.’
Although she is sad to leave, Cheryl is ‘confident’ her decision was the ‘right one.’ (Picture: ABC)
Cheryl’s fellow co-stars wished the star well following her announcement, with actress Selma Blair writing: ‘I love you @cherylburke. Your time on the show and your elegant, gorgeous, fun, loving and brilliant you have touched so many people. Your new era will be remarkable. As are you. All love 💛. Thank you.’
Show judge Derek Hough added: ‘t’s been a wild ride 🕺🏼 So proud of all you have achieved and overcome. Forever left your mark on Dwts. It’s been a pleasure. BL.’
This comes after Len Goodman confirmed his retirement as head judge on the US series.
Head judge Len Goodman recently announced his departure (Credits: ABC via Getty Images)
During last Monday’s [November 14] show, he said: ‘Whilst we’re all getting excited and looking forward so much to the finale next week, it will also be with a touch of sadness, as this will be my last season judging on Dancing With The Stars.
‘I’ve been with the show since it started in 2005 and it has been a huge pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful show. But I have decided I’d like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain.’
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He added: ‘I cannot thank you enough, the Dancing With The Stars family, it’s been such a wonderful experience for me and I’m looking forward so much to next week’s finale, I’m sure it’s going to be absolutely brilliant.’
Dancing With The Stars airs on Disney Plus in the US.
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‘I am sitting here full of so many conflicting emotions,’ she wrote.
