AceShowbiz - Tom Bergeron was recently honored with a special mirrorball trophy, marking a heartfelt moment six years after his departure from Dancing With the Stars.

On April 2, Bergeron, 70, shared on Instagram the surprise he received from the show's longtime production designer, James Yarnell, who is also an Emmy-award winner. Bergeron recalled, “Five months ago, I had an incredible time returning for the 20th anniversary of @dancingwiththestars. Today at lunch, the show's production designer, my Emmy-award winning friend @j.r.yarnell, had a sweet, shiny surprise for me.”

Tom Bergeron served as the host of Dancing With the Stars from 2005 until 2020. Nearly five years after his exit, he made a memorable return as a guest judge for the show’s 20th anniversary episode in November 2025, a moment that deeply moved him.

During a Thursday Instagram video, Bergeron shared the story behind the trophy. He explained, “I just got back from lunch with my buddy James Yarnell. He said, ‘I have something I want to give you.’ He shows up with this box. He goes, ‘What do you think?’” Initially, Bergeron humorously thought the box might contain judge Bruno Tonioli’s "portable bronzer," but Yarnell had actually commissioned a unique mirrorball trophy engraved with “Tom Bergeron: Host.” Holding the golden trophy, Bergeron quipped, “How ‘bout that? And I only had to dance once in 2006. Thank you, buddy. Appreciate it. Very cool.”

The 20th anniversary broadcast was a particularly emotional event for Bergeron. He reflected on the experience in a social media post from November 2025, saying it left him “choked up.” In an Instagram video the morning after the show, he said, “Well, it’s the morning after the 20th Birthday Party show for Dancing With the Stars. Remarkably, I’m not hung over from the afterparty but a little bit hoarse. I just wanted to take a second to thank all of you because of the social media reaction.”

During the live episode, Bergeron joined judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Derek Hough on the panel. He also helped new cohost Alfonso Ribeiro, 54, launch the episode. Ribeiro was accompanied by former pro Julianne Hough, who observed from the skybox.

Bergeron addressed the season 34 quarterfinalists at the start of the broadcast, saying, “I am thrilled to be here, it’s such a rush. So great to see you all, and we have a number of familiar faces in the audiences. You’re a week away from the semifinals, so I’m looking for the type of dance that induces goosebumps, but since I’m sitting next to Bruno, I’m also trying to avoid a concussion.”

Reflecting on his history with the show, Bergeron admitted he needed some convincing to join Dancing With the Stars initially. On the November 5 episode of Good Morning America, he shared, “Well, it really took some convincing. A celebrity ballroom show, I thought, ‘Really?’” Despite his initial hesitation, he went on to become an iconic host for the series.

Though Bergeron joked in a recent interview with E! News that what he misses most about hosting is “the paycheck,” he expressed contentment about no longer being on the show. “There are some people I miss, but I’m really happy not hosting,” he said.

In his final remarks as a judge during the anniversary episode, Bergeron addressed the network directly, encouraging them to bring back the results show next season because the program was “setting ratings records again.” He urged, “Let the whole country vote. Let everybody vote.”

This honorary mirrorball trophy stands as a symbol of appreciation for Tom Bergeron’s long-standing contribution to Dancing With the Stars, celebrating his legacy as one of the show’s most beloved hosts.