Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum have been a dynamic duo in the fashion world for over 16 years, co-hosting Project Runway together from 2004 to 2017. Fans of the show were excited when Klum announced she would return to host the 21st season of the competition series.

However, there’s one thing missing from the new season: Tim Gunn. The 71-year-old style guru recently revealed that producers did not invite him back to co-host alongside Heidi.

In an interview with People, Tim shared how Heidi reached out to him months ago with news of the show’s revival. “Heidi sent me a text saying, ‘There’s talk about bringing Project Runway back with us, with you and me, and would you do it?’” Tim recalled. “And I said, ‘Would I do it? Of course, there’s not a moment of hesitation in me.’”

Despite Tim’s enthusiasm, it quickly became clear that the producers had other plans. He explained that he didn’t receive any official invitation, and when he followed up with Heidi, she asked him, “Are you happy with your contract?”

To his surprise, Tim hadn’t seen a contract. “So, I called my agent, and he knew things were going on, but he contacted the executive producers of this new show, and they said, ‘We don’t want him.’” Tim’s agent even attempted to convince the producers to bring him back by highlighting their past accomplishments, including winning an Emmy together in 2013.

But according to Tim, the best the producers offered was a “small cameo” in the first episode of the new season. “What do I do? Wave from a bus?” Tim joked. “Heidi comes to see me at the retirement home, and we play croquet. No, thank you. And as Heidi would say, ‘You’re either in or you’re out.'”

And as far as Tim is concerned, he’s “out.” Reflecting on the situation, he confessed that he was “initially devastated, then kind of humiliated,” but he’s since made peace with the decision. “I’ve come to terms with it. Am I disappointed? Sure. And most of all, it’s about not working with Heidi, but we move on and things happen for a reason,” he explained.

Though Tim was hurt by the snub, he remains grateful for the time he spent with Heidi and the opportunities that Project Runway brought his way. “How lucky am I to have had the experiences that I’ve had over the last 20 years?” he reflected.

The duo may not be working together on Project Runway, but Tim remains firmly in Heidi’s corner. “She was really upset and she kept saying, ‘I’m fighting for you, I’m fighting for you,’” Tim shared. “Which is lovely of her and nothing that I should expect. And I said, ‘Heidi, just take good care of yourself. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.’”

Though the fashion mentor may not be returning to the Project Runway stage, his bond with Heidi remains as strong as ever. “I have her back and I’m with her in spirit always,” he added.

While Tim may not have been invited to return to the runway, he’s not slowing down. The fashion world will surely continue to see his influence, even if it’s not as part of Project Runway season 21.