'Dancing With the Stars' 2017: Derek Hough Heading To Competing Dance Series, Not Returning For Season 24? [VIDEO]
It looks like Derek Hough might not be able to compete in the next season of ABC's Dancing With the Stars.
Hough has officially signed on for NBC's new dance competition series World of Dance, where he will join Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo as a fellow judge. The series pits dance groups and solo dancers against each other, with all types of dance styles being showcased, including "hip hop, krumping, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, clogging, stomping and more," says Variety.
"Jennifer, Derek and Ne-Yo are three of the most accomplished dancers of their generation, and their incredible insight from the judges' table will be both inspiring and wholly constructive to the world-class level of dancers who are competing on the show," said Meredith Ahr, Universal Television Alternative Studio president, in a new statement. "We feel so very honored that the three of them are giving back to the dance community in this way."
There is no set premiere date for World of Dance but with all the judges signed up and a 10-episode order from NBC, it could presumably debut in 2017.
It's not clear exactly what this means for Hough's role on Dancing With the Stars. The six-time Mirrorball trophy winner has been one of the most popular pros from the show's early days, and is clearly valued by producers. Hough has taken off seasons here and there in the past, though, so this doesn't mean it's the end of his run on Dancing With the Stars.
Hough won Dancing With the Stars with Brooke Burke in season 7, Nicole Scherzinger in season 10, Jennifer Grey in season 11, Kellie Pickler in season 16, Amber Riley in season 17 and Bindi Irwin in season 21.
Dancing With the Stars season 24 is expected to debut in March on ABC, though no specific premiere date has been announced.
