Exclusive

Will Derek Hough Be Able to Perform on Dancing With the Stars?

Exclusive: Kym Johnson and Robert Herjavec update us on the fan-favorite pro's condition on their "date night"!

By Tierney Bricker Apr 27, 2015 7:58 PMTags
Derek HoughPhamous/AKM-GSI

"He might be back!"

Dancing With the Stars fans, there's still hope for Derek Hough's return! Despite suffering a broken toe and a severely sprained ankle during rehearsals for the ABC reality hit's 10th Anniversary Special last week, the fan-favorite pro dancer is doing his best to return to the ballroom and perform with his celeb partner Nastia Liukin. And his fellow pros are hoping for his speedy recovery, as we caught up with Kym Johnson and Shark Tank star Robert Herjavec at the 22nd Annual Race to Erase MS Gala, where they gave us an update on Hough's condition.

"I don't know if he's out for the rest of the season," Kym tells E! News, adding that despite not being able to dance, Derek is still heavily involved in Nastia and his replacement Sasha Farber's rehearsals.

"He's at the studio, he's definitely involved in all of the rehearsals," she says. "He' still choreographing it, sitting down, explaining what he wants...he's still part of the team, he might be back. I'm not sure!"

CLICK: Get the latest details on Derek's injury

Watch: Are Kym Johnson and Robert Herjavec on a Date?

Robert adds, "He's working really hard."

Despite Derek's injury, Robert and Kym were excited to have some time away from the studio. "It feels like date night ‘cause we're in the real world," Robert admits of his night out with Kym, who sources tell us he's been dating since they were paired together for the show. 

While they won't confirm or deny their romance, Robert has promised Kym a lavish gift if they win the mirrorball trophy: his Ferrari! Watch our interview with the adorable couple to hear more about their deal and date night!

CLICK: DWTS' craziest costumes of all time!

As for Derek? He's off crutches, but still unlikely to compete tonight, writing in a blog for TVGuide.com that he is "healing quickly," but not totally ready to compete again. "I just want to make sure I'm 100 percent in shape. I talked to my physio and he said, 'There's gonna come a time where you feel good and you feel like you can dance. But remember you still have a tear in your ankle and a broken toe.'"

But Derek, who was pulling double duty with DWTS and the Spring Spectacular show with Laura Benanti and the Rockettes in New York City before the injury occurred, stressed, "Withdrawing was never an option."

Fingers crossed Derek will be able to return before the end of the season!

DWTS airs tonight at 8 p.m. on ABC.