Report: Tom DeLay quitting 'Dancing with the Stars'

By Rick Porter

October 6, 2009 3:13 PM

The "Dancing with the Stars" injury bug has claimed another victim: former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is withdrawing from the show, according to reports.

Sources close to the show tell People that DeLay will bow out on Tuesday night's results show.

DeLay discovered he had a pre-stress fracture in one of his feet before the competition started Sept. 21. The injury later grew into a full-blown stress fracture, and on Monday's "Dancing" performance show, he revealed his other foot was injured as well. He made it through his samba routine with partner Cheryl Burke but was worse off for it afterward.

"They're starting to tell me I shouldn't have done this," he told People, referring to his ailing feet. Sources tell the magazine that the former congressman will bow out on Tuesday night's results show on the advice of his doctors.

An ABC rep says the network isn't commenting.

DeLay is hardly the first celeb to be laid low by the "Dancing with the Stars" training regimen. Both Nancy O'Dell and Jewel had to withdraw before the season started last spring, and Olympian Misty May-Treanor was forced out by injury last fall. Last season's runner-up, Gilles Marini, separated a shoulder during the season and danced with his arm in a sling; other performers have missed episodes here and there and were judged on their dress-rehearsal peformance.

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Related:

'Dancing with the Stars' recaps
Tom DeLay injured practicing for 'Dancing with the Stars'

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in ABC, Dancing with the Stars, TV (Entertainment), TV News

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| Comments (25)

25 Comments

Good bye and good riddance!

hollandjwm | October 6, 2009 3:23 PM

Another GOP quitter, just like Bailin' Palin.

IggyPop | October 6, 2009 3:25 PM

Thank goodness!

DaveG | October 6, 2009 3:26 PM

Why all the negative replys? He has stress fractures..do you know how painful they are? I know ... he isn't the best dancer any of us has ever seen..but why be so cruel. Mr P., Cloris Leachman, and many others, including Chuck Liddell aren't much better....

Beth B | October 6, 2009 3:38 PM

I think it's thoughtful for him to bow out before the results so someone can stay if they got less points. I think he was as likable as Jerry Springer and it was brave of him as a politician to show his 'real' side. People should get over themselves just because they may not be republican.

dw gable | October 6, 2009 3:52 PM

All the negative commentors are just jealous because they can't dance at all. Sorry to see Mr. DeLay leave the show.

Tom L | October 6, 2009 3:56 PM

So sorry Tom Delay has to leave but those fractures need to be medically taken care of sooner than later. Tom looked like he was enjoying himself and Cheryl is the best instructor. He was one of very few who had no dance experience and those who are experienced are running away with the contest.. Good luck Tom and good health always!

JNelson | October 6, 2009 4:04 PM

I don't really like the idea of such a hypocrite as Tom Delay being on DWTS, but at least he really seemed to try. I don't blame him for dropping out because i think his feet really need to heal.

Janey | October 6, 2009 4:08 PM

He did enough damage to this country during his years with Bu$hco. I don't need to watch him murder the art of dance on national TV as well. Good riddance GOP scum. I hope your foot falls off.

JettaJameson | October 6, 2009 4:16 PM

Such foam-flecked frothiness....

Tsk-Tsk | October 6, 2009 4:24 PM