The Oct. 20 episode of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ season 35 will mark Alan Bersten’s fifth time stepping in for another pro

The show must go on — even when a Dancing with the Stars pro is unexpectedly sidelined.

Over the years, several professional dancers have stepped in for their fellow pros due to injuries, illnesses and other unexpected absences.

Most recently, Alan Bersten was tapped to temporarily replace Val Chmerkovskiy following his one-week suspension from the ballroom. Val’s suspension comes after he shared a controversial social media post toward judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who had criticized his wife, fellow pro Jenna Johnson, during the previous week’s episode. Bersten will partner with Jenna Dewan for the Oct. 20 episode of season 35, marking the fifth time he’s stepped in for a fellow pro over the years.

Bersten’s return comes just weeks after he and his season 35 celebrity partner, Giada De Laurentiis, were eliminated in week 2 of the competition. The decision surprised at least one TikTok user, who questioned why the show would bring back a pro after their elimination.

“Yeah that’s what happens,” Bersten’s girlfriend, fellow pro Emma Slater, replied in the comments. “We all step in for each other.”

From last-minute substitutions to temporary partnerships that lasted several weeks, here are 10 other times a Dancing with the Stars pro has stepped in for another pro.

01 of 10

Ezra Sosa danced with Charity Lawson when Artem Chigvintsev was sick in season 32

During season 32, Ezra Sosa stepped in for Artem Chigvintsev after the pro tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2023.

Sosa, who was a troupe member at the time, danced with Chigvintsev’s celebrity partner, The Bachelorette’s Charity Lawson, for Latin Night. The pair performed a cha-cha to Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs,” earning 21 out of 30 points.

02 of 10

Bersten danced with Gabby Windey when Val was sick in season 31

Bersten filled in for Val after the pro tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the show’s Halloween Night episode during season 31.

Bersten, who had been eliminated alongside country singer Jessie James Decker just one week earlier, returned to the ballroom to dance with Val’s celebrity partner, The Bachelorette’s Gabby Windey.

The pair performed a vampire-themed Argentine tango to a remix of Ed Sheeran‘s “Shivers” by District 78 featuring Mikayla Lynn, earning an impressive 38 out of 40 points.

03 of 10

Alexis Warr danced with Joseph Baena when Daniella Karagach was sick in season 31

During season 31, Alexis Warr temporarily replaced Daniella Karagach after the pro tested positive for COVID-19 in September 2022.

Warr, who was a member of the show’s troupe at the time, danced with Karagach’s celebrity partner, Joseph Baena, for two consecutive weeks. The pair performed a Viennese waltz to Elvis Presley’s “If I Can Dream” for Elvis Night, earning 24 out of 40 points.

The following week, Warr and Baena reunited for Bond Night, performing an Argentine tango to Sam Smith’s “Writing’s on the Wall” and earning 29 out of 40 points.

04 of 10

Bersten danced with Heather Morris when Maksim Chmerkovskiy was injured in season 24

Bersten stepped in for Maksim Chmerkovskiy during season 24 after the pro suffered a calf injury during rehearsals.

Bersten, who was a member of the show’s troupe at the time, partnered with Maks’ celebrity partner, Heather Morris, for four consecutive weeks while he recovered.

Maks returned to the ballroom during week 6, and reunited with Morris for a rumba to TLC’s “Waterfalls.” Despite earning the season’s first perfect score of 40, the pair were eliminated that same night.

05 of 10

Bersten danced with Vanessa Lachey when Maks was absent for “personal” reasons in season 25

Bersten filled in for Maks again during season 25 when the pro missed the Oct. 2, 2017, episode for a “personal issue.”

Bersten danced with Maks’ celebrity partner, Vanessa Lachey, for Guilty Pleasures Night. The pair performed a jazz routine to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” earning 23 out of 30 points.

06 of 10

Johnson danced with James Hinchcliffe when Sharna Burgess was injured in season 23

Johnson temporarily replaced Sharna Burgess in season 23 after the pro injured her knee during rehearsals with celebrity partner racing driver James Hinchcliffe.

Johnson partnered with Hinchcliffe for two consecutive weeks while Burgess recovered. She returned to the ballroom just in time for the semifinals, reuniting with Hinchcliffe and bringing in Johnson for a trio jive that earned a perfect score.

07 of 10

Bersten danced with Paige VanZant when Mark Ballas was injured in season 22

During season 22 in 2016, Bersten filled in for Mark Ballas after the pro suffered a back injury while rehearsing with his celebrity partner, UFC fighter Paige VanZant.

Bersten, a troupe member at the time, had just two hours to rehearse with VanZant before their March 28 performance, according to the Los Angeles Times. Despite the last-minute substitution, the pair impressed the judges with their salsa, earning 24 out of 30 points.

08 of 10

Sasha Farber danced with Nastia Liukin when Derek Hough was injured in season 20

Sasha Farber temporarily replaced Derek Hough during season 20 in 2015 after the pro — who is now a judge — broke his toe and sprained his ankle while rehearsing for the show’s 10th-anniversary special.

Farber, who was a troupe member at the time, partnered with Hough’s celebrity partner, Nastia Liukin, for several weeks while Hough recovered. Hough returned for the semifinals for one dance, while Liukin performed an additional routine with Farber, both of which received perfect scores. Ultimately, Liukin was eliminated during the following night’s results show.

09 of 10

Maks danced with Joanna Krupa when Hough was sick in season 9

Maks filled in for Hough after the pro came down with the flu ahead of the Oct. 19, 2009, episode during season 9, per ABC News.

Maks danced with Hough’s celebrity partner, Joanna Krupa, for one week. The pair performed an Argentine tango, earning 24 out of 30 points, according to the Los Angeles Times.

10 of 10

Edyta Śliwińska danced with Cody Linley when Julianne Hough was sick in season 7

During season 7 in 2008, Edyta Śliwińska stepped in for Julianne Hough after the pro, now host, was diagnosed with endometriosis and underwent surgery to remove her appendix.

Śliwińska danced with Julianne’s celebrity partner, Hannah Montana alum Cody Linley, for two weeks while she recovered. Julianne returned for the Nov. 17 semifinals and scored a 46 out of 60, though she and Linley were eliminated the following night.

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