Bobby Berk breaks silence on why he really quit Queer Eye after 8 series

26 January 2024 , 14:18

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Bobby Berk explains why he really left Queer Eye and quit Fab Five after eight seasons on Netflix

Queer Eye star Bobby Berk has lifted the lid on why he chose to step down from the hit Netflix show and the Fab Five after eight seasons.

The star shocked fans last year when he revealed in November that whilst the popular TV show would return, he would no longer feature as part of the Fab Five alongside Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, and Karamo Brown. Instead he had "multiple other projects" in the works and wanted to step down.

Now in an interview, the star revealed his reasons for leaving as he stressed that he has never claimed to "do the most work" or "have the most important job" on the programme. He also described the decision to leave as "not an easy one", as he added that Queer Eye has been "a huge part of my life".

READ MORE: Queer Eye's Bobby Berk quits show after six years and admits decision wasn't 'easy'

Bobby Berk is leaving the Fab Five and Queer Eye on Netflix (Getty Images)

Speaking to Mail Online, Bobby revealed that the cast including himself had signed signed seven-cycle contracts ending September 2022 with Netflix believing the eight season to be their last. Yet when they were extended and offered brand new four-cycle contracts, Bobby declined as he explained: "All the plans that I had made when I thought we weren't coming back, I just wasn't willing to change those. I would have had to pump the brakes on multiple other projects that are already in process. We had mentally just prepared ourselves to move on - that's why I left."

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There has also always been rumours of a fall out behind Bobby and Tan, with Bobby unfollowing his Queer Eye co-star on Instagram last year. He told the outlet: "There was a situation, and that's between Tan and I, and it has nothing to do with the show." He did add that the situation was not romantic but "had been brewing" for some time. He also likened himself and Tan to siblings as he added that "siblings are always going to fight".

Bobby likened himself and Tan to siblings as he revealed their had been "a situation" between them (Variety via Getty Images)

Bobby confirmed the fight was in no way romantic, but "had been brewing" (Getty Images)

Bobby first revealed the news of his exit to fans last November, as he posted a series of images from the show of "heroes" whom he and the other four "Fab Five" members were able to help throughout the years. He wrote: "To the Queer Eye Community who have become family to me. The love that I have received from you all over the last 6 years has been absolutely surreal. You have tuned in and been dedicated fans and together we were able to share the healing powers of design."

It continued: "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. 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.

Bobby broke the news to fans last November with a statement on Instagram (Cindy Barrymore/REX/Shutterstock)

He's promised that fans "will be seeing more of me very soon" (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

"To all our wonderful, loving, amazing, and brave heroes there is so much I want to say, and so much gratitude I want to express to you all for letting me into your homes and hearts. 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.

"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. I love you all so so much and I’ll meet you all in Nola for one final season. #foreverthefab5."

Niamh Spence