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Julianne Hough Emotional as Tom Bergeron Returns to ’Dancing with the Stars’ Ballroom
LOS ANGELES, CA - Former Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron made a highly anticipated return to the show’s ballroom on Monday night, prompting an emotional reaction from longtime co-host Julianne hough. Bergeron appeared as a guest judge during Disney+ Night, marking his first time back on set as his departure in July 2020 after 28 seasons.
Hough visibly teared up while reintroducing Bergeron to the audience, embracing him warmly as he took his place at the judges’ table.The moment followed a playful skit with current host Alfonso Ribeiro, where Bergeron and Hough traded attempts to announce the voting rules, with hough delivering the spiel at rapid speed. Ribeiro praised her “remarkable delivery.”
Bergeron originally hosted Dancing with the Stars when it premiered on ABC in 2005,alongside Lisa Canning and the late Len Goodman,with only six couples competing in the first season. His exit followed a period of disagreement with the show’s direction, specifically the casting of former White House press secretary Sean Spicer in season 28.Bergeron later revealed that season was “wasn’t a pleasant” experience and that the Spicer casting went against previously established boundaries for the show.
Despite a strained departure, Bergeron expressed excitement about his return, recently telling TV Insider he anticipates a “wonderfully emotional, nostalgic night” surrounded by colleagues in “my happy place.” The current judging panel also includes Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, alongside Derek Hough. Additional cast members present for the episode included professional dancers van Amstel, Jonathan Roberts, Charlotte Jørgensen and Alec Mazo.
