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'DWTS' celeb on twist: 'I don't think fans want to see this kind of drama'

Before season 18 of "Dancing With the Stars" got underway, the big twist had already been revealed: Pros and their celebrity partners could find themselves victims of a switcheroo at any point in the competition. Very few details were offered, other than that viewer votes would determine the switch-ups, and that left some couples concerned. That is until they learned there just isn't much to the
Image: Peta Murgatroyd, James Maslow
Adam Taylor / ABC
Image: Peta Murgatroyd and James Maslow
\"Dancing With the Stars\" pro Peta Murgatroyd and James Maslow aren't keen on the switch-up.Adam Taylor / Today

Before season 18 of "Dancing With the Stars" got underway, the big twist had already been revealed: Pros and their celebrity partners could find themselves victims of a switcheroo at any point in the competition. Very few details were offered, other than that viewer votes would determine the switch-ups, and that left some couples concerned. 

That is until they learned there just isn't much to the big twist.

Sure, on Monday night the results of those viewer votes will lead to a shake up in the ballroom bash — but only on Monday night.

“It’s definite that we’re going back to our original partners (after the show),” pro Peta Murgatroyd happily told TODAY.

Murgatroyd explained that she was "grateful" to have partner James Maslow by her side, and wasn't looking forward to the possibility of losing him. It seems the "Dancing" powers that be listened to her and her fellow hoofers.

"It was the general consensus,” Murgatroyd said. “Nobody (wanted the twist), especially if it was going to be for more than one week."

According to her partner, "nobody" included the fans.

"It’s more than just us,” Maslow said. “I also think the show looked at fan reaction that were saying, 'This (switch-up) isn’t cool.’ I don’t think fans want to see this kind of drama. They want to see (original) couples struggling and succeeding together."

According to pro Tony Dovolani, who's dancing alongside "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star NeNe Leakes, the producers soon saw the error in their original plans.

"Producers are realizing this isn’t the greatest idea, and they’re bringing us back with our original partners (after this),” Dovolani said.

Given some of his past partners — such as the fumbled-footed Kate Gosselin and Wendy Williams — would the veteran professional have welcomed such a partner-swap in the past?

After taking a thoughtful beat, Dovolani told us no, “No, actually. I really don’t think so. My journey is such that I never regret any situation. I wouldn’t be where I am today without going through what I went through.”

But, as it turns out, there's one professional dancer who welcomes the twist — no matter how it plays out. That's five-time winner Derek Hough, who suggested the idea in seasons past.

"Producers have done a really great job of making this feel like a new show,” Hough told us. “I’m really proud to be a part of it. The switch-up will bring a new dynamic where we don’t know what’s going to happen."

They just know it won't last long.

See how it all works out when the "Dancing With the Stars" players swap partners Monday night at 8 on ABC.