Bobby Berk Announces Season 8 of “Queer Eye ”Will Be His Last: 'I Could Not Be More Grateful'
"Although my journey with Queer Eye is over, my journey with you is not. You will be seeing more of me very soon," Berk shared on social media
Bobby Berk is saying goodbye to Queer Eye.
The Netflix show’s decor guru penned a heartfelt letter to “the Queer Eye Community who have become family to me” on Monday as he announced he will exit the series following season 8, which is set to premiere on Jan. 24.
“The love that I have received from you all over the last 6 years has been absolutely surreal,” he wrote alongside a series of photos with his costars and the show’s past heroes. “You have tuned in and been dedicated fans and together we were able to share the healing powers of design. I learned from you all about kindness, love and acceptance and that has changed my life for the better. The way you have embraced me and accepted me for who I am is something that l will truly carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Berk joined Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness as the new Queer Eye Fab Five when the reboot premiered in 2018. In his announcement on Monday, the 42-year-old interior designer thanked the longtime fans of the series for their support.
“Throughout these years, you, the die-hard fans of Queer Eye, have all shared so many stories with me about how the show has touched your lives and I could not be more grateful to each and every one of you for being brave enough to share your experiences,” he shared.
He also praised the show’s “wonderful, loving, amazing, and brave” heroes, adding, “It’s all because of you that I’ve kept going all these years and each and every one of you have changed me for the better. I’m so very proud of all of you! Being able to help guide you to find the best version of yourselves is something I never took for granted and never will.”
Related: Bobby Berk Shares 'Life-Changing' Design Advice in First Book, 'Right at Home' — See the Cover!
Berk then officially confirmed his departure from the series: “It’s with a heavy heart that I announce that season 8 will be my final season on Queer Eye. It’s not been an easy decision to be at peace with, but a necessary one. Although my journey with Queer Eye is over, my journey with you is not. You will be seeing more of me very soon.”
He concluded, “I love you all so so much and I’ll meet you all in Nola for one final season. #foreverthefab5”
Berk’s announcement comes as Netflix confirmed to PEOPLE that Queer Eye is renewed for a ninth season that will take place in Las Vegas.
“We appreciate the heart and dedication Bobby Berk brought to Queer Eye over eight amazing seasons,” ITV Entertainment, Scout Productions and Netflix told PEOPLE in a statement. “He will always be a member of the Fab Five family and we wish him the very best.”
His costars shared their support of Berk in the comment section of his Instagram post. Porowski, 39, wrote, “#foreverthefab5 indeed, and don’t forget it ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️” and Brown, 43, added, “@bobby we are #ForeverTheFab5 | no matter what. I’m about to be a Netflix’s door & e-mails telling them you can’t leave! Who is coming with me? 😢😍 I love you!”
Brown also shared his own tribute to Berk on social media alongside a series of photos of the star.
“With todays announcement date of the new Season (8) of Queer Eye… My heart is broken that season 8 will be @bobby’s last on Queer Eye! He is magic in what he designs and how he makes us all feel. #ForeverTheFab5,” he wrote.
Van Ness, 36, also reacted to the news on Instagram, writing, “One of kind & such a star. Love you Bobby.”
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Season 8 of Queer Eye premieres January 24 on Netflix.
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