Dancing with the Stars will add a permanent fourth judge this coming season – two-time champion Julianne Hough.

The past two seasons, DwtS has been trying to shake up the judges’ panel in an attempt to keep the show fresh, and has brought on a slew of increasingly terrible guest judges. Julianne Hough was one of the few bright additions to the judging panel these past two seasons, so it does not come as much of a surprise that she is becoming a permanent fixture.

This is the first permanent change to the judges’ panel in the show’s entire decade-long history. Julianne has been able to turn her tenure on DwtS into a somewhat successful Hollywood career, releasing music and starring in films like Footloose and Safe Haven. But now it appears she’s ready to return to the ballroom. Julianne said, “I’m so excited to be back with my Dancing with the Stars family again on a regular basis. I’ve always aspired to be an all-around entertainer, whether I’m acting, dancing or singing, and I’m thrilled for this opportunity that will allow me to continue all of those pursuits. Derek and I just finished our Move Live on Tour, which reminded me how much I miss the interaction with the dance fans that have been so supportive of me in my career. I am warming up the paddles and the sass, and I’m ready to have fun in this new role.”

There is some concern that Julianne will show a bias, since both her brother (five-time winner Derek Hough) and her former partner (two-time winner Mark Ballas) are competing in the coming season. But her guest-judging stints have shown that, in regards to Mark at least, Julianne has no issue offering harsh critiques.

Hopefully, Julianne’s presence will bring the judging on the show back on track, since lately the focus has veered quite far from the ballroom dancing the show is about. DwtS, no longer as popular as it once was, has been changing a lot of things lately – hosts, bands, dance styles, and now the judging panel. Are you happy with these changes, or do you miss the Dancing with the Stars of old?

What do you think of Julianne Hough as a permanent DwtS judge? Is four judges just too many? What other changes would you make to the judging panel?