DWTS champion Bobby Bones returns Mirrorball trophy after Tom Bergeron criticism

Former Dancing with the Stars champion Bobby Bones returned his trophy after former host Tom Bergeron criticized the radio host’s controversial win.

Bones, whose real name is Bobby Estell, said Wednesday that he relinquished the coveted Mirrorball trophy over the constant insults and accused critics of taking “all of the joy” from his time on the hit competition show.

“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 was awarded the prestigious honor after he won Season 27 with pro partner Sharna Burgess in 2018, defeating runner-up actor Milo Manheim.

Bergeron said Bones’ win was the most shocking moment he experienced during his time on the show from 2005 to 2020, because the radio host wasn’t supposed 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 said. “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 revealed 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 said.

Bones revealed he did not intend to be on “DWTS” 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 asked 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,” he said.

The “Bobbycast” host claimed he has received a bombardment of hate and negative messages directed towards him after coming forward and admitting in September to going over the acceptable daily amount of practice.

Bones was shocked in the aftermath of the win including statements from Bergeron, who was the host for the first 28 seasons of the competition, and Julianne Hough, a former dancer and judge, who is now the co-host with Alfonso Ribeiro.

“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 said.

Bergeron has since apologized for his statement.

“Bobby, it wasn’t my intention to hurt your feelings,” he sent 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 in 2020.