Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Alfonso Ribeiro, Derek Hough, Flavor Flav, Julianne Hough, and Bruno Tonioli clapping on Dancing With the Stars.
Dancing with the Stars is bringing back former host, Tom Bergeron, as a guest judge for next week’s 20th birthday celebrationCredit: Disney
 


Tom hosted the show from its inception in 2005 until his departure after Season 28 in 2019Credit: Getty
The TV star was replaced by former DWTS champ, Alfonso Ribeiro, while Erin’s role was taken over by Tyra Banks, who was then succeeded by Julianne Hough in 2023.

The news of Tom’s return was revealed on Wednesday, following the previous night’s shocking elimination of Boy Meets World alum Danielle Fishel and her partner, Pasha Pashkov, as well as Flavor Flav’s unusual guest judge appearance.

Tom appeared on Good Morning America to share that he will be filling the guest judge’s seat for the 20th Birthday Party episode next week.

“It feels really good [to be back], I’m really looking forward to it,” the America’s Funniest Home Videos host said, adding that he’s been “reminiscing” over the fun times he had as host of the show’s first 28 seasons.

“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,” Tom continued.

“And I really think it’s a credit to the team kind of getting it back to its essence.”

Tom also hinted that there were some fan favorites this season and mentioned how excited he is to judge contestant Andy Richter, after he and his partner, Emma Slater, repeatedly dodged elimination, despite consistently being at the bottom of the leaderboard.

“He epitomizes what I always thought the show was at its best,” the TV personality gushed.

The 20th anniversary episode will include more surprises for viewers, including setting the first-round dances to iconic freestyles from the last two decades.

Celebrity contestants will also have the opportunity to perform competitive dances without their pro partners to earn bonus points, marking the first time in the show’s history.

Tom was a DWTS veteran, having hosted the competition series from its inception in 2005 until his departure after Season 28.

He was let go from his 15-year gig after disagreeing with producers about casting political figures.

In 2023, during an appearance on Cheryl Burke’s podcast, Tom admitted that the casting of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer in 2019 was his breaking point.

“At that moment, I knew, this was probably my last season. Because of that one betrayal. Because I’d been lied to by people who were in charge,” the comedian said.

Dancing With the Stars is back with an all new season – and new celebrity faces to compete for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. Check out the stars and professional dancers who will be gracing the dance floor with their moves for season 34.

 

Rumors had been circulating for months that Tom would return to the ballroom for Season 34 after fans noticed he was one of nearly 500 followers of the DWTS official Instagram account, despite being removed after his exit five years earlier.

Judge Derek Hough also hinted at Tom’s appearance this season while responding to a news article revealing that the former host had expressed interest in returning for one show.

“You’ll be very happy this season, especially later on ;),” the former DWTS pro commented on social media.

FANS’ PLEAS

Although Tom has been vocal about not having a desire to return to the show full-time, fans are already pleading for him to replace Alfonso as the host.

“Ahhhh I’m so excited!! I think Alfonso is amazing, but nobody will ever beat Tom,” one person wrote in a Reddit thread.

“I love this so much. There couldn’t be a better guest judge for next week. I love Tom and miss him as a host,” another said.

“I missed him the OG,” a third echoed.

“YESSS! He was and still is my favorite host. I wish he was still there,” added a fourth.

“I love this for so many reasons, one of them being that he and Elaine have been friends for years so I was really hoping that she would make it to week 9 so she could experience this,” chimed in a fifth.

DWTS returns on Tuesday, November 11 at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC and Disney+ with the seven remaining contestants competing for the Mirrorball trophy.

Hannah Brown and Alan Bersten holding the Mirrorball Trophy as Tom Bergeron holds a microphone to Brown, confetti falling around them.
Tom was fired after disagreeing with producers about casting political figuresCredit: Getty
 

Julianne Hough, Robert Irwin, and Witney Carson on stage during the "Dancing with the Stars" premiere.
Tom revealed he’s excited to return as a guest judge and hinted that there’s some fan favorites this seasonCredit: Getty
 

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough on Dancing with the Stars.
Some fans are calling for Tom to replace Alfonso Ribeiro, who is currently the host alongside Julianne HoughCredit: Getty