Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo
Below Deck fans were left feeling dismayed after it was revealed earlier this year that OG Captain Lee Rosbach won’t be returning to the hit franchise that made him a household man after 11 seasons on the show.
Rumors swirled that he had retired, however, Captain Lee only revealed that the decision not to return had been made for him.
“I didn’t stop. I didn’t retire,” he told The Sun-Sentinel. “I just wasn’t invited back.”
Fans needn’t worry, because Captain Lee isn’t done with Bravo yet. He even hinted that it might come back on the horizon.
“We’ve agreed, and I’m going to do some things for him next year. Then, Season 12?” to the outlet. “I imagine they’ll see what happens with Season 11, with the new guy trying to take over for me, see how it goes. If it’s too expensive for them, we’ll see what happens. If the numbers take a tank, I’ll be back ? Yes.”
Still, Captain Lee explained that after a long and time spent in the franchise, he did not appreciate the way he knew about being released.
He explained that the producers called him over the phone to tell him that he would not be asked back for season 12, which made him feel sick. However, he said he eventually understood his decision.
“I think I can see his point of view. He really can’t get a straight answer from anyone about my health,” he said.
Season 11 of Below Deck saw that Captain Lee had to resign from the ship and the duties of captain due to continuing health problems. He was controversially replaced by Below Deck Mediterranean‘s Captain Sandy Yawn. Captain Lee later returned to finish the season and praised Bravo for overcoming his health issues.
“Production is really good about it. They’ve got physical therapy there, massage therapy, doctors come to stretch my legs every day. I have to have people helping me. We’re doing everything we can to make it happen,” he said.
Captain Lee stated that he is still under contract with Bravo, so fans will have to wait and see what the network has in store for him.