On the Monday, December 12, episode of the Bravo show Rosbach, 73, told his crew that he was leaving the show (just four episodes in) due to an ongoing nerve issue on the left side of his body.
Since the show’s tenth season premiered in November, Below Deck fans have seen the captain, who has suffered various issues with his health in the past, walking on crutches and complaining of great pain in his body.
Though he previously reassured the crew aboard 197-foot motor yacht St. David that he would be on the mend in the near future, on the latest episode Rosbach confirmed that he was, in fact, leaving.
At the very end of the episode, Rosbach was seen apologizing to his crew for letting them down and telling them he had made the decision to exit, though the installment ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger as the episode ended right there.
The show is yet to reveal who will replace Rosbach, but the captain was seen making a call for help earlier in the episode and fans think they have a good idea which familiar face from the Below Deck franchise Rosbach could have been speaking to.
The hugely popular, Emmy Award-nominated Below Deck has spawned several spinoff shows since it began in 2013, such as Below Deck Mediterranean, Below Deck Adventure and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
Viewers believe that it may be Captain Sandy Yawn from Below Deck Mediterranean who could be joining chef Rachel Hargrove and chief stew Fraser Olender on St. David, though not everyone seemed thrilled by the predictions.
Taking to Twitter, one fan posted: “I swear to god if Sandy steps in as Captain for Lee I will cry. Well, cry way more than I already am cuz of Capt. Lee leaving the boat… #BelowDeck.”
As another wrote: “Rumor is Capt Sandy takes over. That’s going to be an interesting change in dynamics as she micromanages more than Capt Lee and is much slower to resolve issues than he is #belowdeck.”
“I am PRAYING they don’t replace Capt Lee with Sandy. I will literally not finish the season. #BelowDeck,” added a third Below Deck viewer.
Another fan had a different idea, suggesting Captain Jason Chambers from Below Deck Down Under.
“PLEEEEEEASE let Captain Lee’s replacement be the gorgeous Captain Jason from Below Deck Down Under!!! #BelowDeck,” they wrote.
Newsweek has contacted Bravo and Below Deck for comment.
Fans had previously expressed their worries for Rosbach after the moment he announced his exit to his crew had been teased in the initial trailer for Below Deck Season 10.
In the footage, which will presumably be shown on next week’s episode, Rosbach can be seen saying: “My mind is there, my heart is there, my body just won’t cooperate,” as his co-stars are shown in floods of tears.
The synopsis for the season, released prior to the season premiere, also hinted at his leaving as it stated that Rosbach was se to make an “an unexpected decision that rocks the boat to its core, leading to the most shocking season of Below Deck yet.”
Season 10 of Below Deck continues Mondays at 8/7c on Bravo.
