Derek Hough Return: ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Lights Up As Hough Twirls Despite Foot Injury By Making It A Trio

Derek Hough is set to return to Dancing with the Stars after many thought the dance professional would never twirl again on the ballroom floor this season. With partner Nastia Liukin happily returning to his side, Hough is ready to make dancing magic, reported Us Weekly.

At 29, Derek has chalked up a career of dancing wins and praise. But a sudden injury to his foot as he rehearsed his moves for Dancing with the Stars’ 10th-anniversary special forced him to watch rather than participate last week.

What happens, then, to Nastia’s temporary partner, Sasha Farber? Sign them all up for a trio dance.

Defying the concept that two’s company and three’s a crowd, Nastia contends that three is the ideal number when one dancer is injured.

“For us it was kind of a no-brainer to have Sasha in our dance. Derek’s still not at a place where he can be dancing full out,” she pointed out.

Hough feels that the song is perfect for the situation.

“The song we have is really good because it has different dynamics. So for the slow parts, she can dance with me. I’m a little bit slower these days. And then for the fast parts, she can dance with Sasha.”

While Derek prefers to focus on the future rather than discuss injuries, he does admit that he’s being cautious, reported ABC News.

With his left ankle suffering from bone bruises and a sprain and a broken toe on his right foot, Hough also confessed that he was worried.

“When it first happened I was really worried,” admitted the dancing pro. “I knew instantly what it meant at least short-term.”

Moreover, Derek was performing in two shows, one in New York and one in Los Angeles. And then came the accident.

“I’ve never felt better, so for this to happen was like going from 100 miles an hour to zero,” he said ruefully.

But Hough has his eyes on the prize of a tour this summer, so he’s determined to be cautious.

“I never want to let anybody down. I want to make sure that I fulfill my commitments, not just from a business standpoint but from a personal standpoint. I like to keep my word and follow through…. My big concern, too, was the tour this summer. That’s something I’ve been really looking forward to and I’m really, really excited about. It’s gonna be an amazing show and physically to do that show… I have to be in exceptional shape.”

As the Inquisitr reported, this season of Dancing with the Stars also has been significant for Rumer Willis, daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis.

In addition to changing her body, the show has helped Rumer build her self-confidence and feel proud of her achievements, she said.

“[My body has] definitely changed from dancing five or six hours a day. It’s pretty tough when you’re jumping up and down and shaking it everywhere,” she joked.

[Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for The Hawn Foundation]