TV

‘DWTS’ champ is saying goodbye to the ballroom

“Dancing with the Stars” has been dipping so deep into the celebrity barrel lately, there’s no doubt that it’s the pro who’s the real star in many teams.

Nowhere is this truer than with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, one of the long-running show’s perennial faves. Alas, the hot-headed, bubble-butted Ukrainian told “The View” on Tuesday that he is done with “DWTS,” after finally winning the show’s cheesy disco ball trophy in May with dance partner Meryl Davis.

Maks has taken seasons off before, but this time it’s for real. At least for now.

Let’s look back at some highlights of the mercurial hip-shaker, so quick to shoot off his mouth — and even quicker to peel off his shirt.

Season 2, Winter 2006

Maks’ first dance with his first partner, Tia Carrere. It was all uphill from there, and the facial hair thankfully didn’t last.

Season 5, Fall 2007

Maks comes oh-so-close to winning the mirror-ball trophy with Mel B, and their mambo remains a classic — he even appears to be having genuine fun!

Season 7, Fall 2008

Maks was notoriously engaged to fellow Ukrainian pro Karina Smirnoff, basically his female equivalent in terms of temper and sexiness. Think of the kids these two could have spawned if they hadn’t split up!

Season 13, Fall 2011

Maks tells off the judges, in particular crusty Len Goodman, for dissing his and Hope Solo’s rhumba. How do you say “Snap!” in Ukrainian?

Season 18, Spring 2014:

Considering the size of Maks’ ego, it should be pointed out that he’d never won “DWTS” until this past season — compared with arch-rival Derek Hough and his five trophies.

And all it took was a partner who pretty much already was a dance pro, albeit on ice. Going bare-chested again didn’t hurt, either.