Dancing With The Stars host axed after 15 years

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 1mo

Long-running Dancing With The Stars host Tom Bergeron is axed as the show plots "a new creative direction".

Tom Bergeron has announced that he has been let go as host of Dancing With The Stars after 15 years in the role.

The 65-year-old has fronted the US version of Strictly Come Dancing since its launch in 2005, in all presenting 28 seasons and almost 450 episodes of the show.

Revealing his exit on Twitter, Bergeron wrote: "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?"

Bergeron has had numerous co-hosts during his stint on DWTS and since 2014 has been joined by Erin Andrews, who has also been ditched.

In a statement, ABC and BBC Studios said: "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.

"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."

The 29th season of the show is expected to begin in September.