Chmerkovskiy to skip new 'Dancing' season

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Ukrainian dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy will not compete in the upcoming sixth season of "Dancing with the Stars," his representative has confirmed.

The professional dancer's representative said Chmerkovskiy, who has helped guide two celebrities to the reality show's final competition in prior seasons, is simply taking some time off from the hit ABC series, People reported Saturday.

An ABC representative echoed that announcement, saying the 28-year-old would eventually return to "Dancing" in future seasons.

"He just needs a break," the unidentified ABC representative said. "He is part of the 'Dancing' family, and he will be back."

Chmerkovskiy had previously hinted at a possible break from the U.S. TV series in late 2007 when he told People the pressures of the show were affecting him.

"After coming down from two seasons back-to-back, 10 weeks each season -- 14 weeks, if you count all of the rehearsals -- it puts a lot of pressure on a person and it takes its toll," the dancer said.

The announcement of the participants in the sixth season of "Dancing" will be made during Monday's finale.