Dancing With the Stars Shocker: Tom Bergeron Not Returning As Host

There’s big news about Dancing With the Stars. The show’s biggest star, Tom Bergeron, will not be returning for the reality competition series upcoming season.

Tom Bergeron Reveals Shocking News

“Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me,” host Tom Bergeron posted on Twitter. “It’s been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career. 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?”

A joint statement from ABC and BBC Studios reads: “Tom Bergeron will forever be part of the Dancing with the Stars family. 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. Erin [Andrews, cohost] will also not be returning, and we appreciate all that she brought to the ballroom. Fans have been rooting for her since she originally competed as a contestant back in 2010, and her signature sense of humor has become a hallmark of the show.”

DWTS began as a six-week summer series in 2005 in which celebrities with little to no dancing ability were paired with dance pros as they competed for mirror ball trophy. Dancing, rotating co-hosts, critical judges, showmances, conflicts, and, at times, politics kept audiences glued to the series, but the constant on the show was Bergeron.

The affable host is widely regarded as being synonymous with the show. He managed to keep the program moving, injecting humor into the most stressful moments that came when dancing duos would pour their hearts into a routine only to have judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli dole out criticism. While the trio’s notes were both constructive and also filled with praise, at times, it was tough for couples to always properly process — especially during a live broadcast.

Helping cushion the blow was Bergeron. He has a way of making competitors feel better, diffusing tensions between contenders and judges. Bergeron could make ‘grumpy’ Len Goodman chuckle after audiences would boo at him over his critiques.

Reaction to Bergeron’s news has been swift and confounding. Nobody can understand how the show will go on without him. Bergeron has been nominated 11 times for Outstanding Reality Show Host, taking home the award in 2012.

“Bizarre decision – you’re the best live host in Primetime and it’s not even close,” posted Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives).

Could Bergeron not being invited back mean he’s about to become a contestant on the show? That possibility was posed by Jordan JoBeth Swafford on Twitter. “Um…no,” responded Bergeron.

Twitter follower @LindsSwiftJenna spoke for many by posting: “Nobody can replace you Tom, you were the heart and soul of that show and everybody knows it. What a loss to them that they are continuing without you. Deeply saddened and angry about this. WE LOVE YOU.”

Could a likely format change — due to coronavirus — be playing a role in the decision to not have Bergeron participate? Not feasible as the show will need someone to keep things moving. Few can envision that happening without Bergeron.