Tom Bergeron Reflects on Shock ‘DWTS’ Exit and Why He’s Making a Return: “If the Previous Regime Was Still in Charge, I Wouldn’t Go Back”

If there was a Mount Rushmore of Dancing With the Stars greats, Tom Bergeron’s face would have already been carved into stone.

The former original host of the competitive ABC ballroom series is making his surprise return to the ballroom for Tuesday night’s 20th anniversary show. Five years ago, Bergeron was fired from the hosting position after he came out in outward opposition of the series casting Donald Trump’s former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer in season 28.

In the years since his exit, he hasn’t shied away from voicing his frustrations surrounding his departure. That’s why it came to much surprise when Bergeron revealed on Good Morning America last Wednesday that he’d be heading back to the ballroom for the first time since his exit as a guest judge.

Bergeron tells The Hollywood Reporter he’s “thrilled” to step into the new role,…