DANCING WITH THE STARS: Derek Hough Joins the Judging Panel

Derek Hough is returning to DANCING WITH THE STARS for its upcoming season, ABC announced. But rather than being a pro dancer, he’s joining the judges table.

“This show has been and will always be incredibly special to me,” Hough said in a statement. “Coming back feels like coming home and I couldn’t be more excited to be back in the ballroom.”

He’ll appear with DWTS vets Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, while Len Goodman will continue with the series, remotely (due to COVID-19), “in a different capacity.”

The series is also undergoing a sizable change as long-time hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews exited, and Tyra Banks signed on as the show’s new host. The upcoming celebrity lineup includes Justina Machado, Anne Heche, Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean, and TIGER KING’s Carole Baskin.

Hough competed on the show, on-off, for 17 seasons, winning it all six times. He’s also a judge on the NBC competition series WORLD OF DANCE.

DANCING WITH THE STARS, Season Premiere, Monday, September 14, 8/7c, ABC

RELATED:

• DANCING WITH THE STARS: Carole Baskin, Justina Machado, Chrishell Stause Among Those Joining Season 29
• DANCING WITH THE STARS: ABC Sets September Return, Pro Dancer Lineup
• DANCING WITH THE STARS: Tyra Banks Set as New Host
• DANCING WITH THE STARS: Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews Exit

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