Cheryl Burke explains why she's quitting 'Dancing With the Stars' as a pro, hopes to become a judge

Cheryl Burke is leaving 'Dancing With the Stars' after season 31 — and hopes she'll return to another title.

In an interview with Variety, the professional dancer, who announced her released via Instagram on Sunday, detailed the decision to leave after competing for 26 seasons.

"If I was just to speak as an athlete, dancer, and woman, my time would have been in I'm 38. When I arrived as a competitive dancer at 21, it was a different story," she explains. "That decision in itself was really difficult for me - to put everything in side, to come [to L.A.] and do a TV show that I had no idea would last this long. My intention was just to be here for a season and go back."

Burke has been on "Dancing With the Stars" since 2006. She won seasons 2 and 3 , with partners Drew Lachey and Emmitt Smith, respectively. She left at the end of season 19 but returned for season 23. She also took seasons 24 and 26 off before returning for 27-31. In total, she participated in 25 seasons of the flagship show and the only season of the spin-off "Juniors". In Season 31, she and her partner Sam Champion were eliminated in week three.

Sam Champion and Cheryl Burke on Season 31 of 'Dancing With The Stars'.

"I want to keep evolving. Whether it's with the show or not is up to me" , she says. "However, as a dancer, I hang up my dancing shoes."

In our full interview below, Burke says she would still love to be on the show and expressed high hopes of filling Len Goodman's seat at the judges' table.

Let's start at the top. You've been on the show since Season 2. Why leave now?

After 26 seasons, it's been quite an incredible run and journey. If I were to speak as an athlete, dancer and woman, my time is up. I am 38 years old. When I arrived as a competitive dancer at 21, it was a different story. That decision in itself was really tough for me – to put everything aside, come [to Los Angeles] and do a TV show that I had no idea was going to last this long. My intention was just to be here for one season and go back. I guess the full circle year is the fact that I decided now to take a leap of faith too. There's so much more I want to do besides teach a celebrity how to dance. Notice, it's been a beautiful thing. I'm not saying that in a bad way. I say that in a gracious way. However, it is time. I want to continue to evolve, whether it's with the series or not, it's not up to me. However, as a dancer, I hang up my dancing shoes.

OK, but you've already taken your time. Is it another break or are you retiring?

That's it. I hold myself responsible. I do my last dance Monday night with Louis [Van Amstel] and Pasha [Pashkov]. I had all kinds of emotions and a lot of insecurity and fear. But I follow my intuition, even if it's scary. When we d...