He's baaaaack! After a long absence from the ballroom, Dancing with the Stars fan favorite Derek Hough is returning to the ABC show in a new capacity as a judge. Hough, who last competed on the show in 2016, made the official announcement of his return on Good Morning America this morning. "I just missed the rhinestones and the sparkles," laughed the Emmy winning former pro-dancer and six-time mirror ball champ when MediaVillage caught up with him. "I love this show so much, I always have and always will. It's just the joy it brings, the pure entertainment, and what the show represents. I think it's just much needed right now, and at a time where there's such density and so many things going on, I think is going to be really, really, really helpful and good for the soul.
Derek Hough on Judging "Dancing with the Stars": "Good for the Soul"
![Derek Hough on Judging "Dancing with the Stars": "Good for the Soul"](/media/articles/gidlow__hough_is_back_1.jpg.550x380_q85_box-1118%2C498%2C5994%2C3877_crop.jpg.webp)