‘You can’t leave’: Queer Eye star quits hit Netflix show

The fab five are down to four, with one member of Queer Eye making the “necessary” decision to quit the hit Netflix show.

One of the stars of Netflix’s hit Queer Eye reboot has announced he will quit he show after its next season.

Interior design expert Bobby Berk told fans that it was “with a heavy heart” he decided he will not join fashion expert Tan France, grooming guru Jonathan Van Ness, culture specialist Karamo Brown and food expert Antoni Porowski beyond the show’s eighth season.

A reboot of the 2003 program Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Queer Eye has been a huge success for Netflix since it debuted on the streaming platform in 2018. In that time, it’s won 10 Emmy awards, and Berk has emerged as a fan favourite for the incredible home makeovers he and his team provide for participants on the show.

The cast of Queer Eye, L-R: Bobby, Jonathan. Antoni, Tan and Karamo.

In a note published to his Instagram account today, Berk said the decision to leave had “not been easy” but had been “necessary.”

Berk’s note, in full:

“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. 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.

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.

Berk (bottom right) has been part of the “Fab five” since the show’s first season in 2018.

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 [New Orleans] for one final season.”

Berk’s co-stars offered messages of support under the post, with Porowski writing: “foreverthefab5 indeed, and don’t forget it.”

“bobby we are #ForeverTheFab5 | no matter what. I’m about to be at Netflix’s door & e-mails telling them you can’t leave! Who is coming with me?” asked Brown.

“We appreciate the heart and dedication Bobby Berk brought to ‘Queer Eye’ over eight amazing seasons. He will always be a member of the Fab Five family and we wish him the very best,” said ITV Entertainment, Scout Productions and Netflix in a statement published by Variety.

Season eight of Queer Eye is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on January 24, 2024. The show has also been renewed for a ninth season, with the other four members of the “fab five” expected to return.

Originally published as ‘You can’t leave’: Queer Eye star quits hit Netflix show