Could Derek Hough Return To ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Full Time?

He made a long-awaited return to “Dancing With the Stars” for Season 29 as a new judge to fill in for Len Goodman, who couldn’t come to Los Angeles because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, Derek Hough could now start considering a more permanent return to the show.

Hough left “Dancing With the Stars” as a pro after Season 23 in 2016, and still holds the record for winning the most Mirrorball trophies. In 2017, he made the transition over to NBC, where he served as a judge on “World of Dance,” a role he held for four seasons. He made a surprise return back to the ABC competition show that made him famous for Season 29 in 2020, and no word was given on whether he would consider taking on a judging role for “DWTS” again in Season 30—even if Len was able to come back.

However, “World of Dance” has since been canceled, with NBC announcing earlier this week that they don’t have plans to bring the series back for a fifth season. With that no longer on his schedule, Hough could potentially be freed up to make his “Dancing With the Stars” days a prominent part of his life once more.

Hough hasn’t commented on whether he plans to make a return to the show once more, though ABC hasn’t officially announced a renewal either. Of course, whether he does come back and once again replaces Len, or fills the role his sister Julianne once held as a fourth judge on the panel (along with Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli), he wouldn’t be the only person making a comeback to the show.

Despite outcry over her being hired as a new solo host after Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were fired ahead of Season 29, Tara Banks is a sure-fire bet to return for a new season. In addition to likely signing a multi-year contract when she came aboard, the show actually saw a small ratings bump from Season 28 to Season 29—which would make the ABC bosses much more likely to keep her on board.