DANCING With the Stars professional dancer Cheryl Burke demanded that she be the next judge to fill Len Goodman’s spot. Or she will quit the show.
The U.S. Sun has exclusive access to the shocking announcement that the legendary 78-yearold judge, 38-years-old, made by a ballroom dancer, is retiring after 31 seasons.
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A source close to DWTS producers claims that Cheryl demanded Len’s replacement as a judge behind closed doors. If she refuses, she will not return to the show.
Sources claim that Cheryl felt frustrated in recent years at not being promoted on the series.
Since 1996, she’s been dancing professionally in the 26-season competition series.
Season 31, which ended on Monday, November 21st, was Cheryl’s last season. The pair were paired up with Sam Champion (61), Good Morning America’s weatherman. However, the pair was eliminated in 13th place.
Cheryl was previously the first professional to win the Mirrorball trophy twice. Both were consecutively won in seasons two and three.
After winning six consecutive wins with celebrity partners, Derek Hough, her fellow pro-dancer, became a judge for the 29th season.
Although they are close friends, a source confirmed that Cheryl was disappointed not to be offered the spot Derek got on the panel.
According to an insider: “To be clear, she is happy Derek got a judge’s slot. If anything, she would love to be up there alongside him giving out critiques.”
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According to the source, Cheryl had been hinting at this season’s end all season. She has now made it clear that she is ready to take Len’s place and that she deserves that opportunity.
“In fairness, she and others feel it should be a natural progression for someone like her to be handed a promotion.”
According to the DWTS insider: “Len’s departure effectively makes it an ultimatum. Everyone sees this as the producers’ time to ‘put up or shut up.'”
WALTZ AWAY
Len, who has been with the show for 17 years, announced his retirement to be able to spend more time with his children.
Len explained to viewers, “While we’re all looking forward and excitedly anticipating the finale next Wednesday, it will also come with a bit of sadness that this will be the last season I will be judging 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’ve decided I’d like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain.”
The chief judge continued: “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 gonna be absolutely brilliant.”
Fellow judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli stood up and gathered around Len for hugs.
The U.S. Sun reached Cheryl’s representative for comment. While the star did not respond to our request, she said that she was happy about the win but didn’t feel bitter.
STRIPTEASE
Derek stripped off his shirt live on TV one week before Len announced his retirement.
Derek was trying to compete with pro dancers, Artem Chigvintsev and Val Chmerkovskiy, who both danced shirtless but fans couldn’t get enough of Derek’s perfect 10 chest.
Artem and his partner, Heidi D’Amelio, were eliminated at the end of the night after dancing a contemporary routine to Ironic by Alanis Morissette.
The judges noticed that the pro was wearing no shirt and he came out of it completely naked.
Len told him that with “all of his muscles”He was expecting more lifts.
Moments later on the episode, Bachelorette star Gabby Windey and Val danced the Samba to Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin.
Val began his routine in a black shirt but it was not buttoned. He took the shirt off as the routine approached its end and threw the garment on the dance floor. “she’ll make you take your clothes off.”
Host Tyra Banks called the routine “too hot” and fanned herself along with judge Bruno Tonioli.
The pair walked to the judges and Val covered his nipples, while Gabby leaned behind Gabby to cover him.
Derek stated: “Holy moly. I feel like I need to take my shirt off. Everyone is taking their shirts off.”
Gabby screamed. “Take it off!”As the judge removed his jacket, he then said, “No, no, no.”
Val stated: “I chose the worst night to do so with Artem in the last piece/”
Derek asked: “I know! Did you see that?”
As Val and Gabby headed up the stairs to talk to co-host Alfonso Ribeiro, the ballroom erupted into cheers.
Pro Alan Bersten pointed to the bottom, which caught Alfonso’s attention.
Gabby cheered as she realized that Bruno had undone his jacket, and Derek had removed his shirt.
Derek sat down with no top and raised a 10-score paddle.
Tyra approached him and stood before him, trying to control the ballroom.
“We have lost full control of this place,” Alfonso joked.
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