Dancing With The Stars News: Derek Hough Returns — With A Twist

Six-time Mirrorball champion Derek Hough is returning to Dancing With the Stars after a four-year absence, only this time, the star dancer will be serving as a judge.

Derek Hough Returns To Dancing With The Stars

The Dancing With the Stars Instagram page posted a photo of the fan-favorite welcoming him to the judge’s table.

“Dancing is back… and so is Derek!!” it said. “We can’t wait to have him join #DWTS all season long!”

According to TV Line, Hough will be sitting alongside Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, filling in for Len Goodman, who is in the UK and unable to judge due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

“This show has been and will always be incredibly special to me,” Hough said in a statement. “Coming back feels like coming home, and I couldn’t be more excited to be back in the ballroom.”

Hough originally appeared on DWTS in 2007 in the role of guest choreographer, assisting his sister, Julianne Hough. The next year, he joined the cast as a pro dancer for its fifth season. He won his first Mirrorball in Season 7, paired with Brooke Burke, and won a record five others in his time on the show (paired with Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Grey, Kellie Pickler, Amber Riley, and Bindi Irwin).

Sitting at a judge’s table is nothing new for the two-time Emmy winner for choreography. Since leaving DWTS, Hough has spent three years as a judge for NBC’s World of Dance alongside Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo. He returned to ABC this year, taking part in both successful Disney Family Singalong specials.

DWTS already was going to look a lot different with Tyra Banks taking over hosting duties from long-time host Tom Bergeron. Erin Andrews off the show as well.

The show returns on Monday, Sept. 14 on ABC with a celebrity cast that includes rapper Nelly, Backstreet Boys alum AJ McLean, Carole Baskin of Tiger King fame, and daytime darling/Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause.