Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews will not be returning to host the 29th season of Dancing with the Stars. Tom Bergeron shocked fans of the long-running reality competition on Monday when he revealed that he wouldn’t be back next season. ABC later confirmed in a statement that not only was Bergeron out, but his co-host Erin Andrews, who joined Tom in 2014, wouldn’t be returning either.
Bergeron co-hosted all 28 seasons of the dance competition show from 2005 through 2020, spanning 15 years and nearly 450 episodes.
“What am I supposed to do with all of these glitter masks?”
The Emmy-winning host tweeted that the show would be ‘continuing without’ him on Monday afternoon. “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 continued. “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?” Bergeron jokingly added.
News of the hosts exit comes as the long-running reality series is facing COVID-19 production challenges. DWTS is based on the British format, Strictly Come Dancing.
ABC and BBC Studios Joint Statement
ABC and BBC Studios said Bergeron has their “sincerest thanks and gratitude” in a joint statement. “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.”
The statement also addressed Erin Andrew’s exit. “Erin will also not be returning, and we appreciate all that she brought to the ballroom,” the statement continued. “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.”
Tom’s History With The Show
Bergeron, 65, has hosted the reality dance competition alongside a variety of co-hosts since its premiere in 2005. In the first season, he was joined by Lisa Canning, who was replaced by Entertainment Tonight correspondent Samantha Harris through season 9.
Season 10 to 17 saw Brooke Burke taking over. Finally, Erin Andrews took her place next to Tom in season 18.
Season 19 champion of DWTS, Alfonso Ribeiro, filled in for Bergeron for one week in season 21. His brief stint as a temporary host was so that Bergeron could be with his father, who was sick at the time.
Prior to Dancing with the Stars, Bergeron has hosted Hollywood Squares and America’s Funniest Home Videos. He appeared on the latest season of The Masked Singer, performing on the Fox singing competition as the Taco.
Appreciation for the hosts
Several of Bergeron and Andrews’ longtime colleagues, including a few DWTS pros and former contestants, shared their appreciation for the hosts.
Sharna Burgess, a professional dancer and troupe member on the DWTS, shared her love for the co-hosts in a throwback Instagram post.
The beloved Queer Eye star, Karamo Brown, who was also a recent contestant on season 28, had a lot of love and appreciation for Bergeron.
2015 season 21 winner and TV personality, Bindi Irwin revealed that spending time with Tom was one of her favorite experiences of the show.
Things have been uncertain regarding DWTS’s format amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The show is renewed for a 29th season. However, there are yet to be any announcements regarding filming since TV productions were shut down due to COVID-19 concerns earlier this year. The new season is slated to premiere in the fall and the show holds a Monday 8 p.m. time slot on ABC’s upcoming prime-time schedule.
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