'The next pro': ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 34 winner Robert Irwin in talks of hosting upcoming spinoff series

Fresh off winning the title of the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 34, Robert Irwin is in talks to host a spinoff series, ‘Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.’ The new reality series will feature dancers competing throughout an audition process, with the winner earning a position as a pro dancer on the upcoming 35th season of Dancing With the Stars.

More about the new spinoff

The ‘Dancing with the Stars’ world is continuing to grow with a new spinoff. ‘Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro’ will feature up-and-coming professional dancers who will live in a house together and compete in a grueling audition process. The winner will land a coveted spot as a pro dancer on the next season of ‘Dancing With the Stars.’

Possible judges in the new spinoff

Variety reports that beyond the most recent Mirrorball winner joining the spinoff, current pro Mark Ballas plus his mom Shirley Ballas are also in discussions to judge the new competition show. Both Mark and Shirley have competition series experience outside the dancing world, too, she competed on “Celebrity Bear Hunt” in 2025, and he’s on the current season of “The Traitors.”

Robert Irwin’s take on rumors

Though Robert may be dancing into a new role, the ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’ co-host has also seen his name thrown around as leading man for an upcoming season of The Bachelor. As for the rumor, Robert goes with, “never say never”, as he told Entertainment Tonight on February 6. “I'm in this realm right now where I'm like, ‘never say never.’"


As per Entertainment Weekly, the series has not yet entered production and has no official airdate, but will reportedly air on ABC and Hulu.