Bobby Bones Says He Sent Back His “DWTS” Trophy Following Continued Criticism
on Nov 14, 2025
Radio Host Bobby Bones Won Dancing With The Stars In 2018
Against all odds, radio host Bobby Bones took home the coveted mirrorball trophy after winning Season 27 of Dancing With The Stars.
Despite scoring the lowest average scores of any of the finalists, Bones was named the winner, beating Milo Manheim, Evanna Lynch, and Alexis Ren.
As he was handed the trophy, host Tom Bergeron called him the “People’s Champion.” Week after week, it was a shock to all the celebrities, and even Bobby himself, that he continued to be voted through despite having the lowest scores from the judges.
Six years later, people are still talking about Bones’ win, especially with the 20th Birthday episode that aired on November 11th.
Tom Bergeron Comments On Bobby Bones’ Win Six Years Later
Dancing With The Stars celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special show on Tuesday, November 11th. Original host Tom Bergeron joined the show as a guest judge, returning to the ballroom five years after his abrupt firing.
Leading up to the special episode, Bergeron took part in several interviews, and one caught Bones’ attention. During an interview with Parade, Bergeron was asked about Andy Richter’s surprising run on the current season.
“It’s funny you’re asking about eliminations. The thing that shocked me most was a win. Bobby Bones,” he said. “Bobby Bones was the first time I kind of — it was like, ouch.”
Bobby Bones’ win changed the show for the next few years, with the introduction of the Judges’ Save, allowing the judges to choose who is eliminated from the bottom two performing celebrities.
Bones saw Bergeron’s interview and posted a video in response.
He said, “I try not to get my feelings hurt, especially about stuff like this, but this was hurtful.”
Bones was more hurt by the fact that Bergeron said it, and not what was said. The radio host continued, “I didn’t even wanna be on the show. I had no intention of being on Dancing with the Stars. I was working on a different show at the network, they asked me to go on the show to promote. Am I supposed to not show up and work hard?”
He then revealed that because of the continued hate he is getting, he mailed his mirrorball trophy back to the show.
“What did I do? I had a great attitude. I worked hard, and here we are, like six years later, I’m still catching strays out of nowhere. So, I sent the trophy back. They don’t want me to be a part of the show, obviously. So I don’t wanna be somewhere that doesn’t want me to be there.”
Bones reiterated that he had the best time on the show, but the joy has been taken away from the experience due to the continuous comments about his win.
Bergeron took to Instagram to apologize for his comments, saying, “Bobby, it wasn’t my intention to hurt your feelings. My ‘ouch’ was based on my honest feeling that your win spoke to a need to address the balance between judge and viewer voting.”
Tom continued, “I always felt bad that you and Sharna had to deal with the aftermath of that win & I certainly regret pouring any salt into that old wound.”
