‘DWTS’ Judge Len Goodman Might Not Return to the Show in Person, According to Tyra Banks

From Cosmopolitan

• Tyra Banks revealed that Len Goodman may not return in person to season 29 of Dancing With the Stars.

• Len hasn’t been confirmed as a judge because he is in England and can’t return to the United States due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions.

Season 29 of Dancing With the Stars is looking pretty darn good, if you ask me. I mean, hello—the cast is STACKED. The one and only Tyra Banks is hosting this season plus there’s an interesting mixed bag of celebrities who will compete for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. We’ve got Carole Baskin, Kaitlyn Bristowe, AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, and sooo many others joining. But there’s one familiar face who might not be returning this year—judge Len Goodman.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Tyra confirmed that Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli are coming back to fill their usual judges’ roles but things are still up in the air with Len’s in-person return.

“Carrie Ann is definitely back, and Bruno, who I can’t wait to vibe with because he is just as crazy as I am,” Tyra said. “At the moment, we’re trying to figure out how to incorporate Len Goodman because he is in England and there’s all these travel restrictions because of COVID-19. So we’re trying to figure that out.”

While Len’s status on the show is still TBD, it sounds like former DWTS pro dancer Derek Hough will be returning to the show. No word yet on what that will look like, but filling a judge’s role seems totally possible for him! “Derek is coming back in a very interesting way,” Tyra added. “I am very excited about that because I know Derek and he’s fun. But you just gonna have to wait and see how he’s coming back. You’ll know next week!”

Reminder: This season of DWTS already lost two people who were part of previous casts. Pro dancers Lindsay Arnold and Witney Carson would have returned this season, but they’re both pregnant!

Keep your fingers crossed for Len’s return, as the show truly wouldn’t be the same without him!

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