Who Will Host ‘Dancing With The Stars?’ 6 Potential Tom Bergeron, Erin Andrews Replacements

Fans of “Dancing With the Stars” are still reeling from the news that the ABC program had fired hosts Toms Bergeron and Erin Andrews ahead of Season 29, but many are also beginning to wonder who the reality competition series could be bringing in to replace the pair.

The announcement came Monday that both Bergeron and Andrews were being let go, though no specific reason was given, with ABC only citing a “new creative direction” in a joint statement with BBC Studios on the firings. While both Bergeron and Andrews seemed to take the news in good stride by making jokes in their own statements about being let go, the fact that Bergeron was dismissed after 15 years has some wondering who could possibly fill his shoes.

ABC has made no mention of who could be tapped to fill in for the two, but these six candidates all seem like potential choices who could be considered.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy

While he doesn’t fit the mold much when it comes to the “new creative direction” since he is a former pro from the show, ABC could look to extend a possible offer Maks’ way, since he remains as one of the more popular professionals to have danced in the show’s ballroom, but has admitted since his last appearance on Season 25 that he no longer wants to serve in a role that sees him competing. While admitting in 2018 that he’d love to serve as a judge, if Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman all return, there isn’t a place for him at the table. However, with two vacancies to fill, giving the former “bad Boy of the Ballroom” a role as host would bring him back into the active “DWTS” family.

While the hosts don’t have any weight when it comes to the show’s results, the one thing that could keep ABC from extending an offer to Maks is how close his ties to the show still are. His brother, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, wife Peta Murgatroyd and sister-in-law Jenna Johnson are all still pros on the roster who could return, which could open the show up to criticisms that their hiring decision was biased.

Jordan Fisher

Fisher, who won the show’s 25th season, could be a quick and easy replacement who has already proven he can handle hosting duties from his stint on “Dancing With the Stars: Junior.” He also fits the mold when it comes to a new creative direction considering the fact that he is only 26 years old—whereas Andrews is 42 and Bergeron is 65.

In addition, Fisher also fits another key demographic that the show has been lacking when it comes to who participates most often—diversity. While ABC has not commented on future plans, NBC has stated that they plan to make sure they promote diversity going forward with their show hosts and casts. If ABC is following suit, Fisher fits that bill as well.

Rashad Jennings

Another fit who would help if the show wanted to guarantee more diversity is Season 24 champ, Rashad Jennings. Like Fisher, he is a fit who has stayed in the DWTS family over the years, even subbing in for Ray Lewis on Season 28 after he was forced to withdraw due to injury, performing with Cheryl Burke on her routine she had choreographed for her partner.

Alfonso Ribeiro

Perhaps the most natural fit to replace Bergeron is none other than Ribeiro, the Season 19 champ who took over his hosting duties on “Americas Funniest Home Videos” in 2015. While he would seem like a choice that makes sense with his similar style to Bergeron when it comes to cracking jokes easily, if the show is thinking younger for hosts, then he wouldn’t be as likely of a choice since he will turn 49 in September.

Leah Remini

Of course, while many are wondering who would replace Bergeron, the fact remains that Andrews would need a replacement as well. She herself replaced Brooke Burke, who had taken over the role from Samantha Harris. Harris was also a replacement host, taking over for Lisa Canning, who had the role in the show’s first season. When it comes to a female host who would replace Andrews, it seems like the show would want to continue the trend of bringing back former winners or competitors. While several female celebs have won since Andrews was a finalist (Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Grey, Melissa Rycroft, Kellie Pickler, Amber Riley, Meryl Davis, Rumer Willis, Bindi Irwin, Laurie Hernandez and Hannah Brown have all been crowned as Mirrorball Champs), one person who previously competed has been tapped to replace her when her other duties with ESPN have pulled her away from “DWTS”-- Leah Remini. She was a natural when paired with Bergeron twice in the past, and while he will no longer be participating, that doesn’t mean she couldn’t adapt to working with someone else.

Hannah Brown

Though she faced significant backlash in May and June after she was filmed singing the N-word in a rap song on Instagram Live, the Season 28 champ could also be a popular face that seems like a natural choice to take Andrews’ place. Since the show’s female hosts have skewed younger over the years (Canning, Harris and Andrews were all in their 30s when they started hosting, while Burke was 28), Brown, who is currently 25, would be a perfect choice for a younger demographic.

“Dancing With the Stars” is expected to air Season 29 this Fall, but a specific premiere date has not been given.