Former *Dancing with the Stars* champion Bobby Bones has returned his Mirrorball trophy following criticism from former host Tom Bergeron over his controversial win on the show.

Bones, whose real name is Bobby Estell, revealed on Wednesday that he relinquished the coveted trophy due to the constant insults and negativity surrounding his victory. He accused critics of taking “all of the joy” out of his time on the hit competition series.

“I sent the trophy back. They don’t want me to be a part of the show obviously, so I don’t want to be somewhere that doesn’t want me to be there. I sent the trophy back to ABC. I no longer have the Mirrorball trophy. I loved my time there,” Bones said in a TikTok video.

The 45-year-old radio host earned the prestigious honor after winning Season 27 in 2018 with professional dance partner Sharna Burgess, defeating runner-up actor Milo Manheim.

Bergeron, who hosted *DWTS* from 2005 to 2020, described Bones’ win as the most shocking moment he experienced during his tenure on the show. He explained that Bones wasn’t expected to win.

“It’s funny you’re asking about eliminations,” Bergeron told *Parade*. “The thing that shocked me most was a win. Bobby Bones.”

“It’s like Andy Richter this season,” he added. “He’s charming and has such a big heart. Do I think he’s going to win? No. Do I think he’s bringing a quality to the show that epitomizes what the show is? Absolutely. But Bobby Bones was the first time it was like, ‘Ouch.’ No disrespect to Bobby. He would probably say the same thing.”

Bones admitted he was hurt by Bergeron’s comments.

“I try not to get my feelings hurt, especially about stuff like this, but this was hurtful. Not because of what was said, but who said it,” he said. “It’s crazy, the amount of hate I get. Even from people I respect, like Tom Bergeron. And Julianne Hough, which I don’t know her. But I feel like a sixth grader and all the ninth-grade dancing kids are shoving me in lockers.”

Bones also revealed that he hadn’t initially intended to be on *Dancing with the Stars*, but joined the cast because he had a contract with ABC, and they asked him to compete to promote his own show.

“They asked me to go on the show to promote. Am I supposed to not show up and work hard? Am I supposed to give it freaking everything that I have? Am I supposed to throw it and not win?” he questioned his followers.

“Like was I supposed to show up and go, ‘Well, since I didn’t have any training as a kid, I should just not win this competition.’ What did I do? I had a great attitude. I worked hard and here we are, six years later I’m still catching strays out of nowhere,” Bones said.

The host of *Bobbycast* confessed that after admitting in September to going over the acceptable daily amount of practice, he has been bombarded with hate and negative messages.

Bones was further shocked by statements from Bergeron and Julianne Hough — a former dancer and judge who is now co-host alongside Alfonso Ribeiro — especially as some comments have come from people he works closely with.

“But I would say things like this, Tom or Julianne or there are even people I work closely with taking random shots at me this week that have taken all the joy from my time on that show. Which is crazy because it was such a great, joyous time,” he added.

In response, Bergeron apologized for his statement.

“Bobby, it wasn’t my intention to hurt your feelings,” he wrote in a message to Bones. “My ‘ouch’ was based on my honest feeling that your win spoke to a need to address the balance between judge and viewer voting. I always felt bad that you and Sharna had to deal with the aftermath of that win and I certainly regret pouring any salt wound.”

Bergeron mutually parted ways with the network after criticizing the decision to cast former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on the show in 2020.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/13/entertainment/dwts-champion-bobby-bones-returns-mirrorball-trophy-after-tom-bergeron-criticism/