Tom Bergeron Reflects on DWTS Exit and Announces Return
After an abrupt departure from Dancing With the Stars in 2020, longtime host Tom Bergeron has opened up about that shock exit and why he has agreed to make a limited return to the ABC ballroom series for its milestone season. Bergeron’s comments offer a clear-eyed view of his relationship with the show he helped define and the network changes that shaped his departure.
From original host to unexpected exit
Tom Bergeron was the face of Dancing With the Stars for many years, guiding viewers through performances, judges’ critiques and emotional contestant moments. In 2020 he and co-host Erin Andrews were replaced by Tyra Banks, a move that surprised many fans and industry observers. The change marked a sudden end to Bergeron’s long tenure and led to public speculation around the circumstances.
Bergeron has since described the exit as a difficult chapter. He has been candid about his feelings toward how the situation unfolded and has repeatedly acknowledged the emotional and professional impact of leaving a show he helped build.
Why he agreed to return
News that Bergeron will be back for the show’s 20th anniversary season prompted questions about what had changed. In a recent interview, Bergeron said that the conditions for his return were tied to leadership and creative management. He made his stance plain: “If the previous regime was still in charge, I wouldn’t go back.” That sentence underscores his reluctance to reunite with the same decision-makers and highlights the role of management in how talent choices are made.
While Bergeron did not suggest he was returning to a permanent hosting role, his participation in anniversary events signals a reconciliation with the program’s current direction and personnel. Sources close to the production suggest the invitation to appear was framed as a celebratory, limited engagement rather than a full-time comeback.
The significance of the 20th anniversary
The 20th anniversary of Dancing With the Stars is an opportunity for the franchise to celebrate its longevity and reconnect with legacy personalities. Bergeron’s involvement carries symbolic weight: he is widely regarded as one of the show’s definitive hosts and his on-air rapport with contestants and judges helped shape the program’s tone.
Producers appear to be leveraging that legacy as part of the anniversary programming, offering longtime viewers a sense of continuity while also highlighting the series’ evolution. Bergeron’s return, even if limited, is likely to draw attention from both fans who remember the show’s early years and newer viewers curious about its history.
Looking ahead
Bergeron’s decision to participate in the anniversary season reflects a balance between personal principles and professional opportunities. By setting boundaries around the circumstances under which he would return, he has asserted control over his legacy while still honoring his connection to the series.
As the anniversary episodes approach, fans and industry watchers will be watching how Bergeron’s appearances are integrated and whether his return sparks further conversations about the show’s past and future. For now, the development offers a reminder that changes in leadership and culture behind the scenes can be as consequential as what viewers see on camera.
For the full interview and details of Bergeron’s comments, see the original Hollywood Reporter story: Hollywood Reporter: Tom Bergeron DWTS firing and 20th anniversary return interview.
