Tom Bergeron and Bobby Bones end feud as Bones wants DWTS trophy back

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• The Beginning of the DWTS Win Controversy
• The Moment Everything Changed: Bergeron’s Critical Comments
• Reconciliation and Moving Forward
• The Trophy and What It Represents
• What This Means for Dancing with the Stars Moving Forward
• Will the Feud Stay Resolved?
  • Sources

Tom Bergeron and Bobby Bones have officially ended their years-long feud, marking a turning point in their complicated relationship that began when the country radio host won Dancing with the Stars Season 27 in November 2018. After Bones returned his Mirrorball Trophy in response to Bergeron’s critical comments about his controversial win, the two have now reconciled and Bones is working to reclaim his trophy.

The Beginning of the DWTS Win Controversy

Bobby Bones’ Season 27 victory became one of the most debated moments in Dancing with the Stars history. The radio personality and Sharna Burgess defeated fan favorites including Milo Manheim and Witney Carson in the finale. Despite consistent strong performances in the later weeks, Bones had been near the bottom of the leaderboard earlier in the competition, making his eventual win controversial among viewers and even longtime host Tom Bergeron.

Bergeron’s tenure on DWTS spanned nearly 15 years, during which he hosted some of the show’s most iconic moments. His presence became synonymous with the competition, establishing trust and credibility with millions of viewers. When Bergeron departed in 2020, many longtime fans felt the show had lost its anchor.

The Moment Everything Changed: Bergeron’s Critical Comments

In November 2025, Tom Bergeron gave an interview where he addressed the most shocking eliminations he’d witnessed during his tenure. When asked about surprising moments, Bergeron stated that Bobby Bones’ win was “the first time it was like, ouch.” His comments, which dismissed Bones’ achievement as undeserved, ignited backlash and hurt the radio personality.

Bones later revealed that Bergeron’s words affected him deeply, causing what he described as a “minor meltdown” on his podcast, The BobbyCast. The radio host stated that despite his ongoing respect for Bergeron, the public criticism from someone he admired made him feel invalidated. In response, Bones made the emotional decision to return his Mirrorball Trophy, symbolizing his rejection of the win that brought him pain.

Reconciliation and Moving Forward

Tom Bergeron publicly apologized to Bobby Bones for his insensitive comments, acknowledging that his words were hurtful and unnecessary. Bergeron appeared on The BobbyCast podcast in May 2026, where the two discussed their friendship and what led to the conflict. Bergeron expressed genuine regret and explained that he had not intended to diminish Bones’ achievement, but rather was making an off-hand remark about the competitive nature of the show.

The reconciliation between Bergeron and Bones has been met with approval from fans who appreciate the two taking responsibility and working through their differences publicly. Bones has since stated that he now realizes his decision to return the trophy was made in haste and emotional pain, and he has begun efforts to have it returned to him.

The Trophy and What It Represents

Element	Details
Winner	Bobby Bones & Sharna Burgess
Season	Season 27 (2018)
Runner-Up	Milo Manheim & Witney Carson
Trophy Status	Returned by Bones in 2025; reinstatement pending
Official Name	Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy

The Mirrorball Trophy is more than just a prize—it represents validation and achievement on one of television’s most grueling competitions. For Bobby Bones, reclaiming the trophy symbolizes his vindication and the restoration of his legacy on the show. Bones has said that having the trophy back would provide closure and demonstrate that his competition and victory were legitimate.

“I love Tom, I still love him. What he said about my win surprised me, but I understand now that it wasn’t meant to be malicious. Getting the trophy back means everything—it’s about my hard work and Sharna’s dedication being recognized.”

— Bobby Bones, Radio Host and DWTS Season 27 Winner

What This Means for Dancing with the Stars Moving Forward

The reconciliation between Bones and Bergeron comes at a significant time for the show, as DWTS continues to evolve with new hosting arrangements and format changes. Tom Bergeron returned as a guest judge for the show’s 20th anniversary celebration in November 2025, reigniting interest in his legacy. This friendly resolution with Bones further supports the narrative that Bergeron’s departure was professional, not personal, and that his relationship with the show’s history remains intact.

The story of Bergeron and Bones serves as a reminder that public figures can navigate conflicts with maturity, communication, and genuine apology. Both have demonstrated a commitment to moving entertainment industry relationships forward with grace and authenticity.

Will the Feud Stay Resolved?

The question now facing fans is whether this reconciliation will stick long-term. Both Bergeron and Bones have shown willingness to discuss their conflict openly and work through it, which bodes well for their relationship moving forward. The BobbyCast appearance by Bergeron demonstrated genuine connection and mutual respect, suggesting this is more than a surface-level patch.

What remains to be seen is whether ABC and DWTS production will formally return Bones’ Mirrorball Trophy to him, completing the symbolic full circle. If they do, it would represent official validation of Bones’ Season 27 win and serve as a powerful statement about accountability and growth in the entertainment industry.

Sources

• E! Online – “Bobby Bones Wants His DWTS Mirrorball Trophy Back After Ending Tom Bergeron Feud”
• USA Today – “Bobby Bones regrets returning ‘DWTS’ trophy after Tom Bergeron’s comments”
• Us Weekly – “Bobby Bones Wants DWTS Trophy Back After Tom Bergeron Drama”
• People Magazine – “Tom Bergeron Apologizes to Bobby Bones After Making Hurtful Comments”
• The BobbyCast Podcast – “Tom Bergeron on Repairing His Friendship with Bobby & His DWTS Exit”