It started out as a rumor. Then, it was denied.

Now, however, it appears to be true: Maksim Chmerkovskiy will be taking a season off from Dancing with the Stars.

"He just needs a break," an ABC spokesperson said of the 28-year old hunk. "He is part of the Dancing family, and he will be back."

Last December, Chmerkovskiy told People magazine that he was feeling burnt-out after the show's grueling schedule.

"After coming down from two seasons back-to-back, 10 weeks each season â€" 14 weeks, if you count all of the rehearsals â€" it puts a lot of pressure on a person and it takes its toll," Chmerkovskiy said.

Maksim may appear on several of Dancing with the Stars's results shows when the pros are featured in group-choreographed dances. It's also very likely he will be back for the seventh season.

Meantime, fans can still catch Chmerkovskiy on All My Children on February 26.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.