Back in July, fans of “Dancing With The Stars” were shocked when host Tom Bergeron was abruptly fired and replaced by supermodel Tyra Banks. This was particularly shocking, given the fact that Bergeron had hosted the show since it premiered way back in 2005.

Now, “Dancing With The Stars” professional dancer Cheryl Burke is speaking out about how “hurt” she felt when she learned Bergeron had been fired.

“My feelings on Tom have nothing to do with the show. Out of everybody, other than [co-executive producer] Deena Katz [and the judges], I’ve been on the show the longest. Tom is my family,” Burke told TV Insider. “I’m not going to lie and say, ‘Change is great!’ Let’s be real. This really hurt me. My heart dropped when I heard [Tom was leaving]. And I’m not one to be shocked about anything that happens on this show.”

“I talk to Tom frequently. He was a part of my wedding,” she added. “He’s my ‘Dance Dad.’ I know Tom would never tell me not to do the show. He and I share a language that needs no words. We’d always chat before the show. I’m really going to miss that. My heart still hurts. It’s weird not to hear his voice.”

Burke then gave her thoughts on Banks.

“As far as Tyra goes, my feeling is good on her,” the dancer said. “She is going to kill it. She owns who she is as a person. It’s awesome that she’s the only host. She got that executive producer credit. Get it, girl! I’m so rooting for her.”

This comes after Banks admitted that replacing Bergeron and his cohost Erin Andrews will be a “challenge.”

“I think the challenge is stepping into shoes,” Banks told Us Weekly. “I mean, you know, Tom Bergeron and Erin, they lead the show, this is one of the top-rated shows in the world. So [I’m] respecting the stage that they have set and then adding my icing to that. I feel confident about that, but of course, it’s a challenge, but I don’t back away from challenges.”

“I love when something wrong happens because the world can see the imperfection,” she added. “I always say ‘Show the mishaps and the malfunctions and the mistakes.’”

This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com and is used by permission.

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