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'Dedicated' TV star leaves Alaskan show as he focuses on gruelling physical goal

Life Below Zero favorite Jessie Holmes is no longer starring on the Alaska-based show. He leaves a gaping hole of heartbreak as fans share concern over his absence – but most “understand why” he left.

National Geographic has brought back the fan favorite show where stars live in freezing temperatures in Alaska. One Life Below Zero cast member, Jessie Holmes, was “dedicated to his craft” from the start.

Jessie Holmes leaves Life Below Zero

Jessie Holmes revealed he isn’t on Life Below Zero’s new season. A producer revealed, “It was a combination of his time away from racing and having new cast from Next Gen and First Alaskans.”

He competed in the March 2024 Iditarod, which is an annual long-distance sled dog race run in early March. It travels from Anchorage to Nome, entirely within the US state of Alaska.

Holmes is now thinking about starting a YouTube channel, but says it’ll happen “whenever my race career slows down a little bit,” adding, “Right now, my eyes are on the prize!”

Viewers heartbroken over absence

When it was revealed Jessie wouldn’t be joining for the new season, fans were gutted. He’s been starring on the series since 2015, when National Geographic approached him to be part of the show.

One fan wrote, “Jessie was so talented. I loved watching him and his dogs. He definitely will be missed!!” Another penned, “I did not realize Jesse Holmes was not coming back. That’s disappointing.”

For the last few seasons, Jessie built up his Alaska property. Producers were gutted he’d left, saying, “We love Jessie Holmes too. His dedication to his craft is one of the most inspiring things we have filmed.”

WATCH LIFE BELOW ZERO ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EVERY TUESDAY

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