‘Dancing With the Stars’: Cheryl Burke Says Show ‘Didn’t Have A Place For Her’

Cheryl Burke made a grand exit back in November during her final appearance on Dancing With the Stars, delivering a closing dance in tribute to her time on the show. Her departure came on the heels of late head judge Len Goodman’s exit from the series, a spot that Burke had been reportedly eyeing.

But according to The Sun, Burke had reportedly made it clear that she wanted a spot on the judges’ table. Hours before she announced her departure, rumors spread that Burke was giving the show’s producers what was described by the outlet as “an ultimatum.”

As The Sun details, Burke allegedly felt plenty of frustration with the show in recent years and had been seeking promotion. Burke has been a pro dancer on the series for 26 seasons and now has the show in her rear-view mirror. She confirmed that she did want the judge’s position if the show saw fit, but revealed to Chris Jericho that the show decided to part ways. “They don’t see a place for me,” Burke said on the wrestler’s podcast Talk is Jericho. “Whether that’s at the judge’s table or as a possible co-host, and that’s OK.”

Derek Hough’s ascendance to the judge’s table in Season 29 reportedly played a part in her frustration, though it was made clear that Burke had no ill feelings toward Hough. “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,” the source told The Sun. “Cheryl has been dropping hints all season that this may be her final season on the show and she has made it abundantly clear now she wants to take Len’s spot and deserves that chance.

“In fairness, she and others feel it should be a natural progression for someone like her to be handed a promotion,” the source continued alleging. “Everyone sees this as the producers’ time to ‘put up or shut up.’”

This insider’s allegations came to light shortly before Burke released her retirement statement. If her quest to become one of the show’s judges has fallen short, her retirement announcement seals the door that she’s finished.

Still, her use and focus on it being the end of her dancing time on the show gives hope that she could still end up at the judge’s table in the future, or on another series. There are opportunities all over for Burke.