Maksim Chmerkovskiy's return to Dancing with the Stars as a pro is apparently a one-and-done type of deal.
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Fans highly anticipated Chmerkovskiy's comeback for Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, but the expectant father has no intention of competing on the show's next Spring 2017 edition.
"I'm telling you right now I have zero interest in coming back as a dancer [for Season 24]," Chmerkovskiy, who is expecting a son with fiancee Peta Murgatroyd, told Bravo's The Daily Dish.
"I'm going to have a newborn baby. I have zero want to do this. I promise you that."
Chmerkovskiy, 36, doesn't want to miss the first several months of his first child's life once Murgatroyd, 30, gives birth.
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"The baby comes in January and then a month-and-a-half later, I would have to be in Los Angeles to start training with somebody else," Chmerkovskiy explained, adding that Dancing with the Stars can be "uberstressful."
"Trust me, I really don't care how this comes across, but there's no money on the planet that can replace me missing out the three, four, five months of my baby's life. Zero chance."
Chmerkovskiy revealed he's looking forward to being a hands-on dad and doting husband.
"I can't wait for all of this, diapers, and all of this stuff," he told The Daily Dish. "I can't wait for Peta to pursue her goals and whatever, and I just want to be a stay-at-home dad."
Reports of the pregnancy first surfaced in May, but the couple confirmed they're expecting a baby in June, five months after getting engaged in December 2015.
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Chmerkovskiy took a break from Dancing with the Stars from Season 15 through 17. After winning the mirrorball trophy with Olympian Meryl Davis in Season 18, he took another hiatus up until now.
The pro dancer insisted his experience on the show's latest season with his celebrity partner, model and talk show host Amber Rose, has nothing to do with his decision to leave again.
"I'm having the best time of my life on Dancing with the Stars," Chmerkovskiy said.
"It's a known fact. I've said it. I was quoted as saying the production is on point. I feel the love. I feel like everybody's so friendly [and] we all work for the same goal, [which] is to keep dancing in television and produce a beautiful show."
Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd reportedly plan to wed in Summer 2017.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski