The people’s prince is back in the ballroom.
Former Dancing With the Stars host Tom Bergeron will make his triumphant return to the hit reality dance competition show during the 20th anniversary episode on Tuesday, November 11. Bergeron will serve as a guest judge, alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.
“It feels really good [to be back], I’m really looking forward to it,” Bergeron said during a Good Morning America appearance on Wednesday, November 5, adding that he’s been “reminiscing” on all the fun he had hosting the show. “I think 20 years of any primetime show is amazing. For a show 20 years old to also be having a ratings resurgence as they are, you’re more likely to see a zebra playing the piano. And I really think it’s a credit to the team kind of getting it back to its essence.”
Bergeron hinted there’s a couple of front-runners on season 34 — and expressed his excitement for judging fan favorite Andy Richter. “He epitomizes what I always thought the show was at its best,” Bergeron said.
Bergeron’s appearance on season 34 will mark the first time he’s stepped foot into the ballroom since 2019. Bergeron hosted the show from its debut season in 2005 through season 28.
Bergeron announced via social media in July 2020 that his time at DWTS had come to an end.
“Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me. It’s been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career,” he wrote at the time. “I’m grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made. That said, now what am I supposed to do with all of these glitter masks?”
ABC subsequently released a statement confirming that neither Bergeron nor his cohost, Erin Andrews, would be returning to the program.
“Tom Bergeron will forever be part of the Dancing with the Stars family,” they shared at the time. “As we embark on a new creative direction, he departs the show with our sincerest thanks and gratitude for his trademark wit and charm that helped make this show a success.”
Following Bergeron’s departure, Tyra Banks took over the hosting gig for three seasons before departing in March 2023. DWTS is currently hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough.
Bergeron has reflected on his departure from DWTS on several occasions through the years.
When appearing on the late Bob Saget’s “Here for You” podcast, Bergeron revealed that his firing wasn’t a huge surprise after he spoke out against one of the show’s casting decisions.
“In all candor, the show that I left was not the show that I loved. So, the end of the season that turned out to be my last season, I kind of knew,” he shared during the October 2021 podcast episode. “So I took everything out of my dressing room that I really wanted.”
Bergeron’s final season featured Sean Spicer, who served as White House press secretary during President Donald Trump’s first administration. The television host publicly condemned the show’s decision to cross a political line in an August 2019 social media post, shortly before the 28th season premiered.
Bergeron noted during his “Here for You” podcast episode that it was “obvious” he was “butting heads” with the show executives. “I think Erin and I had more fun getting fired than anyone,” he quipped.
Ahead of the DWTS 20th anniversary episode, viewers were convinced that Bergeron was teasing his return to the show by posting several throwback photos from his years as host via Instagram.
“During this 20th anniversary season, I’ve been enjoying looking back & sharing some memories from my @dancingwiththestars years,” he captioned one post from late September.
Currently, Bergeron is the host of the Discovery show Dancing With the Sharks.
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays on Disney+ and ABC at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.
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