Derek Hough will reportedly not be returning to compete on Season 22 of Dancing with the Stars Season 22.
Sources have told various news outlets that Hough, 30, is taking the season off to perform in Singin’ in the Rain on Broadway.
“Derek will always love Dancing with the Stars and the friends he’s made through the show,” an insider told Us Weekly magazine. “And the door isn’t closed there. He’ll always be a part of the family.”
Singin’ in the Rain producer Harvey Weinstein announced on Saturday that Hough will take the lead in the musical, which was followed by posts from Hough himself sharing the news on social media.
Hough’s announcement comes on the heels of news that his sister, former dancing pro Julianne Hough, won’t return as a judge on the new season. The 27-year-old Grease Live star said in February she “will miss” the show but has “a lot of exciting stuff coming.”
“The pro dancers, producers and crew at DTWS will always be my family,” she said in a statement. “I promise it’s not the last you’ll see of me in the ballroom.”
In January 2015, Hough said he would not return to the ABC dance competition’s 20th season because he was focusing on his role in Radio City Music Hall’s New York Spring Spectacular. A month later he decided to pull double duty and rejoined the cast as gymnast Nastia Liukin’s partner.
Derek Hough joined Dancing with the Stars as a pro in Season 5 and has won the coveted mirror-ball trophy six times, most recently with his partner on Season 21, Bindi Irwin.
Season 22 of Dancing With the Stars premieres March 21.
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