Host Leaving “Dancing With The Stars”

“Dancing With the Stars” beauty Samantha Harris was already an insider, but soon she’ll play more of one on TV. The longtime co-host of ABC’s smash celebrity dance contest announced Friday she’s leaving “Dancing With the Stars” after eight seasons to pursue opportunities that include an expanded presence on CBS’s infotainment show “The Insider.”

“I interned at Entertainment Tonight 15 years ago, the summer after my sophomore year at Northwestern and I dreamed of working in the same space as hosts Mary Hart and Mark Steines,” the vivacious brunette confided to People.com. “And now I’m living that dream.”

Harris has worked on and off for “The Insider” as well as “E!” since joining “DWTS” in 2006. She also showed off her own dancing chops on Broadway in July 2009 playing Roxie Hart in “Chicago.”

The search for Harris’s replacement has already begun, say “DWTS” producers. Indeed many Internet fans maintain it began in the show’s fifth season when second season champion Nick Lachey co-hosted for three weeks while Harris was off on maternity leave.

Meanwhile Tom Bergeron is taking his co-host’s departure in stride. “I’ve been known to try to twist arms behind the scenes. I’m hoping this frees her up for us to have her as a contestant.”