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Decider
24 Oct 2023


NextImg:Former ‘DWTS’ Pro Cheryl Burke Claims She “Wasn’t Invited” To Return To Perform In The Show’s Tribute To Len Goodman

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Dancing With the Stars

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In honor of the late Dancing with the Stars judge Len Goodmanwho died at age 78 in April — the hit ABC show is rallying its professional dance troupes together for a special tribute. However, according to Deadline, some familiar faces will be missing, including Cheryl Burke.

The former DWTS pro, who left the show in November, revealed in a Threads post on Saturday (Oct. 20) that she was not asked to take part in the upcoming tribute.

She wrote, “For those of you asking if I’ll be a part of Len Goodman’s tribute next week on DWTS, unfortunately, I wasn’t invited however, I’ll be there in spirit and can’t wait to cheer my former colleagues on! Sending love and light to everyone. ???????????? #riplen.”

The routine’s roster includes  Kym Johnson, Anna Trebunskaya, Karina Smirnoff, Edyta Sliwinska, Tony Dovolani, Louis van Amstel, Maks Chmerkovskiy and Mark Ballas, and will be choreographed by Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson.

However, Burke wasn’t the only past pro not invited to perform. Witney Carson, who announced her exit from DWTS in August, was also not asked back, per Deadline.

Decider has reached out to reps for DWTS for comment, but did not hear back by time of publication.

The tribute, which was announced during the Season 32 premiere on Sept. 26, is set to take place on tonight’s episode, and will be performed to Henry Mancini’s “Moon River.”

Cheryl Burke and Sam Champion
Photo: ABC/Lou Rocco

According to TVLine, Burke’s 26-season-long run on DWTS is longer than any other of the pros invited back for the tribute, with Tony Dovolani’s 21 seasons and Chmerkoskiy’s 15 seasons being the closest.

In September, Burke told Entertainment Weekly that the late Goodman “made the show.”

“I think his honesty, his authenticity to ballroom dance, the show — I was always nervous that the show would veer away from what people tuned in for in the first place, which was to see two people dance ballroom,” she continued. “But he made sure that it never [veered away].”

Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.