
LOS ANGELES - Cody Linley won't be graduating on the popular dancing competition "Dancing with the Stars."
The
18-year-old "Hannah Montana" actor and his professional partner,
Julianne Hough, were eliminated Tuesday from ABC's TV show. The pair
received a total score of 46 out of 60 from judges for their paso doble
and salsa routines Monday. After viewer votes were combined with the
judges' scores, the Disney actor was dismissed.
"Oh my gosh," a
choked-up Linley said after his ouster. "I mean, words can't even
explain the true amazing, growing, learning journey that I've had on
this show. I can't show my appreciation anymore to Julianne. I can't
say thank you. I love her so much. This opportunity has been so
amazing."
For part of the competition, Linley was paired with
professional dancer Edyta Sliwinska when Hough missed two weeks of
competition because of surgery to remove her appendix. Hough rejoined
Linley for Monday's semifinal round. The pair received the judge's
lowest scores. After their paso doble routine, judge Bruno Tonioli said
it was "not good enough."
"I'm so proud of you," Hough said to
Linley before the duo took to the ballroom floor for their last dance.
"I've had such an amazing time with you. This has probably been the
biggest journey that any of these couples have had out here. I cannot
wait to see what his opportunities are going to be after this show."
The
three remaining contestants - model-actress Brooke Burke, singer Lance
Bass and former NFL star Warren Sapp - will compete for the show's
mirror ball trophy in next week's finals. On Monday, the celebrities
will perform two routines, including one dance set to the same music
for each couple. The seventh season champion will then be crowned
Tuesday.
Previously dismissed celebrities include: Olympic
sprinter Maurice Greene; actresses Susan Lucci and Cloris Leachman;
singer Toni Braxton; chef Rocco DiSpirito; reality TV star Kim
Kardashian; actor Ted McGinley and comedian Jeffrey Ross. Greene's
fellow Olympian, volleyball player Misty May-Treanor, dropped out of
the competition after rupturing a tendon.