Derek Hough pays tribute to late grandfather after funeral

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Derek Hough

Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough mourns the loss of his grandfather in a new way Instagram post.

Hough announced that his grandfather passed away on March 2, 2023. Now he’s sharing some lessons he learned from the man after attending his funeral.

“Spending time with family to celebrate Grandpa Heaton’s long life,” Hough wrote alongside a picture of him, his mother and four sisters. “One of the special moments was reading letters he wrote to my grandmother in 1949. Beautifully handwritten letters that give us a glimpse into his soft and poetic heart.”

He added, “It’s crazy to think about how we only get to know our grandparents after they’ve already lived so many different lives.”

The professional dancer said it was special to see his grandfather’s letters years before he knew him.

“So there is something very special about physically seeing and reading a piece of history that helps to complete your grandchild’s perception,” he wrote. “Rest in Peace Grandpa.”

Derek & Julianne Hough received love and support from friends and family

In the comments section of Hough’s post, he and his sister, Julianne Hough, received love from friends and family.

“What a BEAUTIFUL, priceless gift on so many levels,” one person wrote.

another wrote, “Sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your grandfather. You have such a supportive and loving family. You are all the renewal of spring in his life.”

Other people were upset that the Houghs posed and smiled at a funeral for a loved one.

“I’m sorry for your loss, but how do you pose for such a funny picture at a funeral??” a comment readsalthough others disagreed.

Derek Hough will be touring in 2023

Derek Hough and his fiancé Hayley Erbert are touring in 2023.

The tour is called “A Symphony of Dance” and it is planned for autumn 2023. Hough’s fiancé, Hayley Erbert, will join him on the show.

The Dancing With the Stars judge announced his tour on The Kelly Clarkson Show and shared that he loves touring because he can only travel to many cities for one night at a time.

“It’s going to be a brand new show,” Hough said, adding that his body is his instrument and he wants to create a “dance symphony.”

He added: “This is my hope to really integrate music and dance and create a symphony of dance. … It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

According to tour website, Hough’s first tour in four years will feature “electrifying music, immersive dancing and non-stop entertainment.” It will include many different dance styles, from ballroom to contemporary to tango.

The tour is scheduled to begin Friday, September 1, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada, with additional cities to be announced soon. It’s unclear if the tour dates will disrupt Dancing With the Stars season 32, although it likely rules out Hayley Erbert being included in the show’s roster of professional dancers due to the time commitment required on both sides .

Dancing With the Stars is slated to return to Disney+ in fall 2023. Derek Hough is likely to return as one of three judges on the show.