Photo Courtesy of TMZ.com
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.
BTW: 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.’”
