"Dancing" Dumps Old Cloris for Heartache Toni

For "Dancing with the Stars," heart trouble makes for a better handicap than old age.

82-year-old Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman was originally courted by "DWTS" honchos, we've learned, because they needed someone for the "disability" slot -- think Heather Mills (one leg) or Marlee Maltin (deaf). They figured her age would fit the bill -- until they got Toni Braxton, who has a heart condition, to sign on, as TMZ first told you. That's when they put Cloris' dancing shoes ... six feet under.

Launch photosBTW: We also hear "DWTS" peeps are over the moon that Jewel and rodeo dude Ty Murray -- who are both in the mix for next season -- just eloped in the Bahamas, because the whole boyfriend versus girlfriend storyline they wanted to exploit just got amped up to husband-wife. And we know how married couples can get.

And get this: The Lance Bass rumors? Half true. Yes, he''s definitely on, but no, he won't mambo with a man.

An ABC rep tells TMZ, "We don't comment on casting rumors, but the official cast will be announced on August 25th on ''Good Morning America.'"



Tags: Cloris Leachman, ClorisLeachman, contestants, Dancing with the Stars, DancingWithTheStars, DWTS, Toni Braxton, ToniBraxton

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(Page 1 of 6) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. and if they put Kim K on it...it a gonner. I'm not gonna watch anymore!!

Posted at 12:21PM on Aug 8th 2008 by NotFamous

2. weren't Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin married when they were on the show?

Posted at 12:30PM on Aug 8th 2008 by ejk

3. They need Kim K..So far the list is grim..Why can't they get Suzanne Somers???? Don't tell me ABC is still pissed about Three's Company..

Posted at 12:26PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Glisten Garbor

4. All I know is Paula Abdul better NOT be on this coming season or I will not watch till she is gone! She is a former professional dancer and choreographer and it's not fair to go up against others, even if this is ballroom!

Posted at 12:34PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Scotty "K"

5. Jewel says on her website that she recently decided not to do a tv show after "Nashville" - wouldn't that probably be DWTS? I hope she's not on it. That show is so irritating...

Posted at 12:38PM on Aug 8th 2008 by CW

6. #3 They were on different seasons.

Posted at 12:38PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Glisten Garbor

7. Toni Braxton- I would think dancing is going to be worse for your body than singing...............I am not sure I want to watch a show with my kids where, god forbid, someone could possibly drop dead. Not interested at all! Or could she possibly have lied about her health to get out of her vegas contract?

Posted at 12:41PM on Aug 8th 2008 by pebbles

8. How come no one wants to dance with C'litoris?

Posted at 12:52PM on Aug 8th 2008 by Dan

9. cloris- is a hideous pig. she such an a**hole. she arrogant and sooo no classy. isn't she supposed to be dead and buried and in the ground already. she a fossil. glad she's not on "dancing" , i love that show and it would such to have to see her on it the first week (which is about as long as she'd last.) RETIRE ALREADY CLORIS AND STOP LOOKING FOR ATTENTION. NO ONE WANTS TO SEE YOU!!!!!!

Posted at 2:05PM on Aug 8th 2008 by karen

10. Oh no, I made a comment about a black woman, is NINA from Tmz gonna get me? you know because she sooooooooo proudly announced that TMX hired her and she is black and takes exception to beyonce not looking black.

Posted at 2:21PM on Aug 8th 2008 by pebbles

11. and.......................why did you take down the madonna posting?

Posted at 2:23PM on Aug 8th 2008 by pebbles

12. toni braxton is beautiful. glad to see she's well rested and her health is back on track. just because you have heart trouble doesn't mean you have to sit on the couch and get fat. its important to get cardiovascular exercise, consider this just that, IF ITS TRUE

Posted at 4:05PM on Aug 8th 2008 by jay

13. Lance not with a male dancer = me not watching DWTS

Posted at 1:22AM on Aug 9th 2008 by BigMistake

14. People I would like to see on DWTS, Donny Osmond, Julianna Moore, Antonia Bandaris, Tim McGraw, Melissa Hart, Susan Lucci, the black doctor from ER, Kelly Ripa, just to name a few. Get people in there that actually have personalities!

Posted at 6:36AM on Aug 9th 2008 by Brenda

15. PLEASE NO KATHY GRIFFIN ON THE SHOW

Posted at 6:49AM on Aug 9th 2008 by ro

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