Courtesy of Eddie PerlasBros before show drama! Isn't that how the saying goes?
We learned tonight that Dancing with the Stars fan-favorite pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy is set to return to the ABC reality competition next week, after shocking fans earlier this year by leaving the show. All because he wants to help out his brother from the same mother, new series-regular pro Val Chmerkovskiy and partner Zendaya Coleman.
"The big reveal is that Maks will be back on Dancing with the Stars," Val confirmed exclusively to E! News' Will Marfuggi after tonight's results show. "Maks and Anna [Trebunskaya] are going to be part of our number, and we're dancing the Argentine tango."
Even Val is surprised that Maks is hitting the ballroom floor again so soon, though he points out it's only for one episode (in which many other pros will be returning to dance alongside the current contestants), and is motivationsare purely bromantic.
"I just found it funny that they found a way to get him back!" Val said with a laugh. "If he were to ever come back, it would be in this fashion. He's really excited to dance again, especially to dance side by side with us."
And though Maks doesn't want to be a part of the show this season as a series regular, it's possible we'll see more of him, as he is contracted through 2015.
For the time being, "Maks is really happy for me," Val tells us. "Really excited for me and is really glad [I'm doing the show]."
Chelsie Hightower, Tony Dovolani, and Tristan MacManus are also expected to return next week.
See more from the cast of DWTS on Wednesday night's E! News at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.