Did Derek & Julianne Hough Quit ‘Dancing With the Stars’?

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Where are Derek Hough and sister Julianne Hough? With the big cast reveal for Dancing With the Stars this morning, you may be wondering where Derek Hough has disappeared to this season. Has Derek quit the show? His sister Julianne Hough, who is generally on the judges panel, has decided to leave DWTS, making room for veteran judge Len Goodman to return to the ballroom again.

Last month, Julianne announced her departure from the show, telling People:

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.

Producer Rob Wade chimed in to state that he hopes to see Julianne back on the show and Julianne was sure to add:

I promise it’s not the last you’ll see of me in the ballroom.

So, maybe Julianne will return to the series at some point down the road. As for her brother, DWTS pro favorite Derek Hough, fans will be greatly saddened not to see him as a cast member this season. According to People, Derek will “sit out” this season. Derek is currently taking on the iconic role Gene Kelly had in Singin’ in the Rain for Broadway. Perhaps once the Broadway musical wraps up, Derek Hough will return to the ballroom.

Julianne Hough recently appeared in the movie Dirty Grandpa with Robert De Niro and Zac Efron as well as the production Grease Live!

Cross your fingers that Derek Hough at least makes an appearance some time this season.