It's official: "Dancing With the Stars" veteran Cheryl Burke will leave the show after almost a decade, The Wrap says.
The show's executive producer Rob Wade confirmed the news, saying "Cheryl has been on the show for close to 10 years. She has done a great service to the show and I think she feels that it's time for her to move on."
Burke had previously hinted at her exit from the show. Speaking to TV Guide in October, the dancer said her contract was over and she was unsure about having it renewed.
"Will it most likely be my last season? I would have to say yes," Burke said at the time.
She added, "I owe my life to 'Dancing with the Stars.' They've changed my life completely. They're my family and it's always hard to say goodbye ... to a bunch of people that really believed in me from the start, and continued to believe in me for the last 10 years."
Answering if she would like to still be part of the show but in a different capacity, like as a judge, Burke said she "definitely would."
The professional dancer is a two-time winner of the "DWTS" mirrorball trophy, according to ABC. She was the first female to win the show's top prize, which she did with Drew Lachey in season 2. Burke is also the show's first dancer to be included in the finals seven times.
While Burke's exit is saddening, it will pave the way for new dancers to be highlighted on the show, according to Wade.
"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," Wade explained. "So, I'm quite positive about having the opportunity to bring new people in or bring back some of the old faces."