Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews axed from ‘Dancing With the Stars’

When the celebrity studded dance competition series that is Dancing With the Stars returns for a 29^th season this fall, it will be without its original host Tom Bergeron. Not only that, but Bergeron’s longtime co-host and season 10 competitor Erin Andrews will also be missing in action.Bergeron made the announcement on July 13, revealing that he was basically let go. “Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me,” Bergeron shared on social media. “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?”

Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me. 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?

— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) July 13, 2020

ABC and BBC Studios released a joint statement confirming the news shortly afterwards. “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,” the statement said, as per E! News. “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 humour has become a hallmark of the show.”Speaking of the fans, many of them were not happy to hear of this new direction, and they made as much known on social media.

Just posting @Tom_Bergeron’s 11 Emmy nominations & 1 win for #DWTS. Just in case anyone forgot. pic.twitter.com/Jk3FoNkHkq

— Kristyn Burtt ?? (@KristynBurtt) July 13, 2020

#DWTS Last year DWTS fired Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Hayley Erbert and Britt Stewart. Today they fired both Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews...smh pic.twitter.com/V48EO8Y6bG

— Max Powers (@MaxPowers44) July 14, 2020

Does ABC not realize how beloved Tom Bergeron is? He’s been there since the beginning (in 2005!) and actually loves the show. Such a bad decision. #DWTS

— Erica (@lilsushigirl) July 14, 2020

I am so disappointed that @Tom_Bergeron will no longer be a part of #DWTS. Literally such a bad decision. He is an integral part of the show... It will not be the same without him. The show just lost a little bit of heart and soul today.

— DWTS Interact (@DWTSInteract) July 14, 2020

The powers-that-be didn’t reveal who they are asking to take over hosting duties when the series returns, or what kind of new creative direction they’re seeking out. Bergeron helmed the series with three other co-hosts over the years; Lisa Canning, Samantha Harris and Brooke Burke-Charvet.In addition to hosting DWTS, Bergeron also pulled double-duty for several years as the host of another ABC series, America’s Funniest Home Videos, which he began back in 2001. He voluntarily exited that show at the end of its 25^th season, and was replaced with former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribeiro. “I’m embracing change this month,” Bergeron told Vulture in a statement at the time. “I’ve decided that, after 15 wonderful seasons as host of AFV, next year, the show’s 25th anniversary(!!), will be my last.”Earlier this year Bergeron also appeared on The Masked Singer as the Taco, winning over the judges with renditions of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon” and the Four Tops' “Can’t Help Myself.” He made it all the way to the sixth episode, even beating out Dionne Warwick who was eliminated the week before him. “I think I lasted about as long as I deserve to,” he told Variety. “Maybe one or two would have been OK, but I had no delusions about going the distance.”With a few singing performances under his masked belt, does that mean maybe now Bergeron is ready to get his twinkle toes on? One fan wondered as much in the comments on Twitter, asking him if now that he’s out as host whether he could be a contestant. Bergeron quickly shot that one down with a swift, “Um… no.” At least fans can look forward to Bachelor star Kaitlyn Bristowe finally taking her shot?Meanwhile, Andrews, who placed third during her run on DWTS, is expected to continue her other gig as a sideline reporter for Fox NFL—if and when football returns. She did not comment on being let go from DWTS on social media at time of press. It’s also worth noting that even though DWTS is scheduled to return to ABC on Mondays this fall, the series has made no announcements about how it plans to film safely amid the coronavirus pandemic.[video_embed id='1994523']Before you go: ‘Tiger King’ expert Joel McHale weighs in on the Nicolas Cage casting news[/video_embed]