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‘Dancing With The Stars’ Cast: Derek Hough Not Competing On Season 22

By Effie Orfanides
Published on: 12:52 PST, Mar 1, 2016

Derek Hough will not be a part of Dancing with the Stars Season 22. According to E! News, the multi-Mirror Ball Trophy winner will be hanging up his dancing shoes after his win with Season 21 partner, Bindi Irwin. Hough, who has been a staple on the show for several seasons, will be sitting this one out.

As for why Hough has decided to sit out for the season, it may be due to another commitment.

“Perhaps the reason for this time off is that Hough was cast in the Gene Kelly role in the new Broadway production of Singin’ In the Rain. That production opens next January, which doesn’t bode well for future seasons of Dancing with the Stars, either…”

Derek Hough isn’t the only Hough who won’t be on Season 22 of Dancing with the Stars. According to People Magazine, Derek’s sister, Julianne Hough (who moved from pro-dancer to the judge’s panel), won’t be a part of Season 22, either. She was a judge on the show for the past three seasons, but has decided to take a season off.

“I will miss being on the panel for Season 22, but have a lot of exciting stuff coming that I look forward to sharing. The pro dancers, producers and crew at DWTS will always be my family,” Julianne Hough said. “I promise it’s not the last you’ll see of me in the ballroom,” she added. Many will miss Julianne and are hoping that she will be back in the future — either as a judge or as a dance pro.

Derek Hough and his sister, Julianne Hough, have been very popular on Dancing with the Stars over the years. Derek won the Mirror Ball Trophy in 2008 with Brooke Burke, in 2010 with Nicole Scherzinger, again in 2010 with Jennifer Grey, in 2013 with country star Kellie Pickler, and then again that year with Glee star Amber Riley. And Hough wasn’t done there. As previously mentioned, Hough won the Mirror Ball Trophy last year with Bindi Irwin, having one of the most rewarding seasons of his career on the show.

As you can imagine, fans are having a hard time with the news.

Julianne Hough took home the ultimate prize on Dancing with the Stars, taking home the Mirror Ball in back-to-back seasons (4 and 5) with Apolo Ohno (Season 4) and Helio Castroneves (Season 5).

Dancing with the Stars returns to ABC on March 21. While your favorite pros (including Val Chmerkovskiy, Peta Murgatroyd, and Mark Ballas) are all expected to be a part of Season 22, there is no doubt that Derek Hough will be missed. As far as the judges panel goes, head judge Len Goodman will return, joining his pals Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tolioni.

As far as celebrities slated to join the cast this season, the Inquisitr previously reported on rumors. Mixed martial artist Paige VanZant, Top Model winner Nyle DiMarco, footballer Antonio Brown, actress Kim Fields, and Fuller House actress Jodie Sweetin are all expected to join the contest next season.

Are you excited for Season 22? Are you sad that Derek Hough will be taking a season off? Who would you like to see compete on this season or an upcoming season of DWTS?

[Photo courtesy of Ethan Miller/Getty Images]

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