Erin Andrews is addressing her Dancing with the Stars departure after ABC announced she and show host Tom Bergeron were not asked back for the show's upcoming 29th season.
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"Those years wouldn't have been as special without my loving host Tom Bergeron, the talented dancers, and witty judges. I will always cherish my days on that set, even if I wasn't the best at walking in heels."
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Tom unexpectedly announced he will not be returning to Dancing with the Stars for its Fall 2020 edition on Monday evening.
"Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me," he tweeted.
"It's been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career. I'm grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made. That said, now what am I supposed to do with all of these glitter masks?"
Following Tom's announcement, ABC confirmed his departure and also revealed in a media statement Erin was axed from Dancing with the Stars' next season as well because the show is heading in a "new creative direction."
"Tom Bergeron will forever be part of the Dancing with the Stars family. As we embark on a new creative direction, he departs the show with our sincerest thanks and gratitude for his trademark wit and charm that helped make this show a success," ABC and Dancing with the Stars' production company BBC Studios said, according to Us Weekly.
"Erin will also not be returning, and we appreciate all that she brought to the ballroom. Fans have been rooting for her since she originally competed as a contestant back in 2010, and her signature sense of humor has become a hallmark of the show."
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Erin began serving as co-host of Dancing with the Stars in March 2014 after competing on the show's tenth season and finishing in third place with pro partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Tom has been hosting Dancing with the Stars since it premiered on ABC in June 2005 -- a span that has covered 28 seasons and over 400 episodes.
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Many fans are wondering if Tom and Erin's exits are a result of production changes this fall due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic or budget cuts.
ABC did not clarify whether Dancing with the Stars' fall season will feature new co-hosts.
ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke recently commented on Dancing with the Stars' production in these uncertain and unprecedented times.
"I have seen the presentation from the Dancing with the Stars producers on how we are planning to produce this show, post-COVID and with the health regulations in place because they have the advantage of making it in other territories and I am blown away by the ingenuity and the care which they are producing it," Burke told Deadline.
"We are bringing all of those innovations to the American broadcast. I'm really confident in their plan."
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The only confirmed celebrity competing on Dancing with the Stars' new season thus far is Season 11 The Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe.
While a premiere date for Dancing with the Stars' new edition has yet to be announced, the show is tentatively slated to air on ABC on Monday nights this fall pending the pandemic.
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Spoilers have leaked on when The Bachelorette will begin filming, what the cast will look like, and where the season will take place.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
