

Derek Hough is ready to return to the dance floor!

The six-time Dancing With the Stars champion took to Instagram on Monday to officially announce his season 23 return to ABC’s reality competition series, days after ET confirmed that he and his sister, Julianne Hough, would be back as a pro and judge, respectively.

“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason,” the 31-year-old pro dancer wrote alongside an Instagram video of him dancing on a beach set to The Chainsmokers and Daya’s popular hit “Don’t Let Me Down.”

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Hough, who took the spring season off after winning season 21 with partner Bindi Irwin, was originally set to play the lead in the Broadway revival of Singin’ in the Rain, but unforeseen circumstances caused a delay in plans.

“This fall, I was planning on being immersed in rehearsals for Singin’ in the Rain on Broadway, but due to successes of the shows currently running, that project has been delayed because there simply isn’t a theatre [sic] available,” Hough explained, adding that the musical “is still very much part of my future plans.”

“With my fall schedule freeing up, I’m excited to say that I’ll be back on Dancing With the Stars for Season 23,” he continued. “It’s always great to be back with my DWTS family, coaching, creating and making lasting memories.”

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It’s going to be a busy several months for Hough, who will continue to prep for NBC’s live Dec. 8 musical telecast of Hairspray, in which he plays Corny Collins. “It’s going to be a challenge that I’m looking forward to,” he said, teasing even more “exciting projects” in 2017.

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ET can also report that longtime DWTS pro and two-time champ Cheryl Burke will be returning to vie for the mirror ball trophy, after last competing on season 19 with partner Antonio Sabato Jr. in 2014.

Burke and Hough join returning pros Maksim and Val Chmerkovskiy, Emma Slater, Witney Carson, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Lindsay Arnold, Sasha Farber, Gleb Savchenko and Allison Holker. Former troupe member Jenna Johnson will make a her debut as a pro.

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ET can exclusively confirm that Jana Kramer, Marilu Henner, former Texas Governor Rick Perry and Vanilla Ice are the latest celebrities headed to DWTS. Retired football star Calvin Johnson and Indy race car driver James Hinchcliffe are also on tap for the fall season, ET has learned.

They join a celebrity cast that includes Olympians Laurie Hernandezand Ryan Lochte,Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Amber Rose, Jake T. Austin and Little Woman: LA star Terra Jole.



The full cast and pairings will be revealed on Good Morning America on Tuesday. ABC does not comment on casting.



Dancing With the Stars premieres Monday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

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