The waltz is over for Paul Mercurio as a judge on Dancing with the Stars after he was given the bad news yesterday.

Mercurio said he was “disappointed” to find he had been dropped from the judging panel -less than two weeks before the eighth season hits screens.

“It is frustrating because obviously, just two weeks out, I had to fit this into my schedule,” he said. “I would like to think that I’m going to be missed, but who knows?”

There had been speculation that a revamp of the show might mean the end for judge Todd McKenney following his drug arrest earlier this year.

But it is Mercurio who is first to go. British judge Bruno Tonioli, who has been a guest on the show before, is understood to be appearing on two episodes.

Meanwhile lifestyle show Mercurio’s Menu has been renewed by Seven for a second season.

“Fortunately I’m still a part of the Channel 7 family and can focus on my own show for the rest of the year.”

Source: news.com.au