Taking the lead! The Dancing With the Stars showrunners caused a stir when they replaced hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews with Tyra Banks in July 2020 — but it wasn’t the first time the role had a change of guards.
Bergeron served as the constant host for the dance competition from its 2005 debut through season 28, which aired in 2019. Ahead of his exit in the summer of 2020, he only briefly stepped away from the show to tend to his ailing father, which is when former contestant Alfonso Ribeiro filled in.
The former America’s Funniest Home Videos host, however, had his fair share of cohosts before Andrews came on board in 2014 starting with season 18.
“Love u @Tom_Bergeron!! I can’t wait … and the best part is I won’t be getting 7’s from Len [Goodman] and yelled at for not pointing my toes! #winner,” Andrews tweeted in February 2014 after news broke of her new hosting gig.
The sports journalist competed on DWTS during season 10 with pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy as her partner. They came in third place.
Bergeron and Andrews were caught off guard when ABC decided to cut them both as hosts after 11 seasons together in 2020.
“It’s been an incredible 15-year run and the most unexpected gift of my career,” Bergeron tweeted in July of that year. “I’m grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made.”
Andrews, for her part, thanked the network for her time on the show and her longtime friend Bergeron for being by her side the whole time.
“Thank you ABC and the entire Dancing With the Stars family for 6 memorable seasons,” the former Good Morning America correspondent tweeted at the time. “Those years wouldn’t have been as special without my loving host Tom Bergeron, the talented dancers, and witty judges.”
She later reflected on the surprising career change in November 2021, exclusively telling Us Weekly that it was actually a blessing in disguise.
“I give my best to them. My schedule has been so crazy with [football commentating], the clothing line, the podcasts … trying to have a baby, that I think it was the best thing for me,” the Maine native said. “They wanted to go a different direction, and they’re doing that now. So, hopefully they’re happy.”
Scroll down to relive all of DWTS hosts through the years:
The Massachusetts native cohosted DWTS from 2005 to 2019. He was let go ahead of season 29, which aired in 2020. Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Canning served as Bergeron’s cohost during season 1, which aired in 2005. Dave Lewis/Shutterstock
The former Next Joe Millionaire hostess worked alongside Bergeron from season 2 through 9, exiting the show in 2009. F Sadou/Sipa/Shutterstock
The 98 Degree singer temporarily replaced Harris during season 5 in 2007 while she was on maternity leave. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
The Hidden Heroes producer stepped in as cohost from seasons 10 through 17 from 2010 to 2013. She previously won season 7 of the hit series while partnered with Derek Hough. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
The sports commentator first appeared alongside Bergeron during season 18 of the show in 2014. Andrews remained in the role through season 28, before being fired from ABC alongside her longtime cohost in July 2020. AFF-USA/Shutterstock
The King of Queens alum filled in for Andrews on three separate occasions. Remini cohosted one episode during season 19 and two episodes in season 21 while Andrews covered the 2014 and 2015 World Series. John Salangsang/Shutterstock
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum won season 19 of the competition in 2014 with partner Witney Carson. He later filled in for Bergeron during week four of season 21 when the former Hollywood Squares host had to take time off to tend to his sick father. Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
ABC announced in July 2020 that the America’s Next Top Model creator would be taking over as the solo host for season 29 of DWTS. She also served as an executive producer for her debut season. Scott Kirkland/Shutterstock
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