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DWTS reveals Tyra Banks will share hosting duty with male actor for season 31 after fans demand she be FIRED
DANCING with the Stars has revealed that Alfonso Ribeiro will join Tyra Banks as co-host of season 31.
This announcement comes after fans demanded that the model should be fired from the show.
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ABC announced on July 14 that the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor will be joining Tyra.
Seasons 29 and 30 were the first in the show's history where there was only one host, which meant interviews had to be cut down and more duties were put on Tyra.
She became the host after Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were fired abruptly.
Now she will have help from someone with experience in hosting and the world of DWTS.
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This is the first season DWTS will be cha-cha-ing its way to Disney Plus after airing on ABC for 30 seasons.
And a new home means new fresh faces.
Alfonso is the current host of America's Funniest Home Videos on ABC, which he took over after former host Tom left, so he is no stranger to hosting.
He is also no stranger to the Dancing With The Stars family.
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The actor was partnered with Witney Carson on season 19 and, after perfecting The Carlton Dance, won the season and took home the mirrorball trophy.
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"I'm super excited," Alfonso told ahead of the announcement.
"For me to be asked now to co-host with Tyra, and be part of the great crew and dancers and friends ... to be able to be on stage with them and to be part of that family again, is quite special for me. I mean, these dancers are friends of mine at this point now. We really do all hang out together, and talk outside of that show."
The actor continued, "My goal is to bring back a sense of the happy and the fun, and the family atmosphere, that this show has always felt like for me."
"I want to become friends with all of the contestants this year and allow myself to kind of be able to really just sit and talk with them. And after their dance, I want to get honest, and true feelings from them and make people laugh and make people smile again. I feel like sometimes it gets a little serious and while it needs to be that also, it also needs to be light and fun and cheery."
Alfonso already knows Tyra as she had a guest spot on The Fresh Prince, which was her first acting job.
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He told People that he is excited to work together again and "have some fun on stage."
GET RID OF HER!
Although fans are happy to see Alfonso take on the role of co-host, many of them would just like him to host the show by himself.
Tyra made many mistakes while hosting, including not announcing the correct couple to go home and taking too long to announce winners.
Last season, Tyra also made a not-so-intelligent comment about contestant Suni Lee's gymnastics.
Attempting to ask about the progress she has made on the show since training in gymnastics, the America’s Next Top Model host said: “It’s a new you now!
"You’re having fun. It’s not about sticking that jump flip twisty thing-a-ma-jig right?"
As Suni stood there in silence, the controversial fashion icon appeared to try to continue with another question but seemed to talk over herself and quickly changed the subject to the scores.
An insider told the Sun that Tyra doesn't "fit in" with the producers or audience, but is staying on to host this season.
She will also return as executive producer of the show.
NEW HOME
Back in April, it was revealed that DWTS would be moving to Disney Plus.
It was also renewed for seasons 31 and 32 and will be the streaming service's first live series.
Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, explained in a press release: “Dancing with the Stars has entertained fans for 16 years on ABC."
"We are excited to bring this beloved show exclusively to Disney+ as the platform’s first-ever live series.
“The show’s broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney+ the perfect home for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ while continuing to expand our demographic reach.”
Meanwhile, Dana Walden, who’s the Chairman of Entertainment at Walt Disney Television, said in the release that while DWTS has been a “beloved staple on ABC,” it’s time for a change.
She continued: “As we’re significantly expanding our unscripted slate at ABC, this is a great opportunity to introduce this show to a whole new generation of fans on Disney+.”
The judges- Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough are all expected to return.
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However, there may be some changes to the professional dancers as they are expected to take a MASSIVE pay cut, due to the show's new home.
Season 31 of DWTS will premiere on Monday, September 19.
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