Erin Andrews to host 'Dancing With the Stars'

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Fox Sports reporter Erin Andrews will return to ABC's Dancing With the Stars, this time as a co-host.

Andrews had previously appeared on the show's tenth season as a competitor. She was partnered with dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and the pair finished third out of eleven couples.

Andrews will replace Brooke Burke-Charvet as Tom Bergeron's co-host for the show's eighteenth season. The change came as a serious surprise to Burke-Charvet, who told E! News that, "I've seen my fair share of shocking eliminations in the ballroom, but this one takes the cake."

ABC did not offer an explanation for Burke-Charvet's departure, but did confirm that she will be leaving the show, along with bandleader and orchestrator Harold Wheeler and his band. Burke-Charvet initially expressed her surprise on Twitter, but later tweeted that she was okay and ready for the change.

weird day….Shocking pre-season elimination #DWTS…ME. @Tom_Bergeron didn't even read my name. I won't be returning to the show this season.

— Brooke Burke-Charvet (@brookeburke) February 22, 2014

So much chatter bout DWTS. I'm really cool everyone. I did my 7 seasons, had a blast! I'm ready for change. I love your loyalty. Thank you!

— Brooke Burke-Charvet (@brookeburke) February 24, 2014

The season eighteen cast of Dancing With the Stars will be announced on Good Morning America on Tuesday, March 4th. Rumored participants include Bruce Jenner and Cody Simpson. The show will return March 17.

[People] [E! Online]