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.