The release date for Queer Eye season 8 has finally come, forcing viewers to hurry to Netflix to catch up on the show’s tear-jerking, heartwarming episodes.
However, the new season for 2024 is laced with melancholy, since it will be the final appearances of founding cast member Bobby Berk after he announced his departure.
While the trailers for the most recent episodes showed interior design guru Bobby altering the houses of its makeover ‘heroes’, fans now know that when season 9 arrives, he will no longer be a member of the Fab Five.
The 42-year-old announced her departure from Queer Eye in November of last year, startling both fans and celebrity acquaintances.
That means Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, and Tan France may soon welcome a new interior design ace.
So, why is Bobby’s appearance on the series coming to an end? This is what we know.
Why is Bobby Berk leaving Queer Eye?
On November 13, 2023, Bobby announced on Instagram that his stint on Queer Eye was coming to an end.
View this post on Instagram
Sharing a variety of pictures from his time on the beloved series, he wrote in his caption: ‘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.
‘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.’
The interior designer continued, explaining how over the years since the launch of the Queer eye reboot in 2018, dedicated fans of the programme ‘have all shared so many stories with me about how the show has touched your lives’.
‘I could not be more grateful to each and every one of you for being brave enough to share your experiences,’ he stated.
‘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!’
Bobby explained how being able to help the ‘heroes’ on the show ‘discover the greatest version’ of themselves is something he ‘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,’ he wrote.
‘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.’
In a report published by Us magazine, it was claimed by a source that ‘there were many challenges with scheduling’, in addition to ‘a loss of interest from Bobby filming the show’.
However, according to the publication, another source said that Bobby ‘was not asked to leave’ and the ‘decision was amicable’.
Bobby explained how being able to help the ‘heroes’ on the show ‘discover the greatest version’ of themselves is something he ‘never took for granted and never will’.
‘I’ve heard you, and it’s gunna happen
,’ he wrote in the caption, as Queer Eye’s Jonathan responded: ‘
give the people what they want queen!!’
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How did the Queer Eye cast react to Bobby leaving the show?
When Bobby shared his Instagram announcement last November, Karamo responded by commenting underneath: ‘@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!’
Jonathan left a row of heart emojis, while Antoni added: ‘#foreverthefab5 indeed, and don’t forget it 
.’
At the time of writing, Bobby and Tan are the only members of the Queer Eye Fab Five who don’t follow each other on Instagram, in what could be perceived as a ‘snub’ between the co-stars.
Queer Eye is available to watch on Netflix.
Source My Celebrity Life.
