Bobby Berk exits the Fab 5 ahead of Queer Eye season 9: 'It's not been an easy decision'

The Fab 5 just lost their eye for design. After six years as the interior design expert, Bobby Berk has announced his departure from Queer Eye.

Berk has hosted the reality show reboot alongside fellow experts Karamo Brown (Culture), Tan France (Fashion), Antoni Porowski (Food & Wine), and Jonathan Van Ness (Grooming) since it launched in 2018. On Monday, he surprised fans on social media by sharing that the upcoming eighth season will be his last. He also alluded to a new project, teasing details to come in the near future.

"It's with a heavy heart that I announce that Season 8 will be my final season on Queer Eye," Berk wrote on X. "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."

Still, the show must go on. Netflix has confirmed to EW that Queer Eye will return for a ninth season, sans Berk, which is set to film in Las Vegas.

"We appreciate the heart and dedication Bobby Berk brought to Queer Eye over eight amazing seasons," reads a joint statement fromITV Entertainment, Scout Productions and Netflix. "He will always be a member of the Fab Five family and we wish him the very best."

France and Porowski celebrated the renewal news on their respective Instagram stories with no further comment. Posting a photo of the five cast members altogether, Van Ness wrote, "One of a kind & such a star. Love you Bobby."

Brown also gave a special shout-out to his costar, sharing a a carousel of Berk images on Instagram. "With todays announcement date of the new Season 8 of Queer Eye… My heart is broken that season 8 will be [Berk]'s last on Queer Eye!" he wrote. "He is magic in what he designs and how he makes us all feel. #ForeverTheFab5"

Berk responded, "I love YOU with all my heart. I wouldn't have made it this long without you there with me."

Whether Berk's area of expertise will be covered by someone else has yet to be revealed. Berk spent episodes transforming the homes (or other beloved spaces) of the various "heroes" helped throughout the show. Queer Eye has won 10 Emmy awards, including five straight wins for outstanding structured reality program from 2018-2022.

In his emotional farewell, Berk thanked past contestants and fans who have tuned in for the past six years.

"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," Berk wrote. "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."

He continued, "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."

Season 8 of Queer Eye, which takes place in New Orleans, will premiere on Jan. 24, 2024.

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