Dancing with the Stars producers reportedly dropped Julianne Hough from the show's judging panel in an attempt to boost its ratings and popularity.

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According to an insider, "Julianne never really fit in. Fans didn't like her, and there were tensions between her and the other judges," the National Enquirer reported.

Hough's personality reportedly clashed with those of Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

"Julianne found fame -- and an acting career -- through dancing on the show, but she acted like she was doing everyone a favor by going back as a judge. Both Bruno and Carrie Ann thought she had a major attitude, and that infuriated them!" the insider explained.

Hough, 27, joined Dancing with the Stars as a new fourth judge for Season 19. Longtime judge Len Goodman, 71, then quit the series after Season 20 because he was having difficulty juggling numerous career endeavors, mainly because he had to travel back and forth from the United States to Britain.

Dancing with the Stars' ratings declined significantly for last fall's edition after Goodman departed, so producers allegedly scrambled to get him back.

"They need him to save the show," the insider added. "I'm told removing Julianne and going back to a three-member panel was key to getting him to return!"

Goodman will officially be replacing Hough and returning to Dancing with the Stars for Season 22 when it premieres March 21 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC. 

"No one's shedding any tears about Julianne being gone!" the insider said.

However, Hough insisted to People last month, "It's not the last you'll see of me in the ballroom."

Before Hough landed her spot as a judge on Dancing with the Stars, she competed as a pro partner on Seasons 4 through 8. The two-time mirrorball trophy champion left the show to pursue her film and country-singing goals before coming back as a guest judge and then ultimately a regular judge.

Goodman served on Dancing with the Stars' judging panel since the show debuted in 2005. The only season he took off was the reality dancing competition's 21st season.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.