Mills Graceful As "Dancing" Returns

(AP)  Heather Mills McCartney stepped up and showed she can dance on a prosthetic leg. Gracefully. Her appearance on "Dancing With the Stars" on Monday night had been eagerly awaited, amid public speculation that she might experience trouble.

The ABC dancing contest, returning for its fourth season, was a big hit in the past. But adding a new level of interest and curiosity this go-around is the presence of the 39-year-old activist and estranged wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney as one of the 11 celebrity contestants.

If there was anyone watching who didn't know about Mills McCartney's prosthesis, host Tom Bergeron wasted no time at the top of the show reminding them that contenders include "our first performer with an artificial limb."

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Photos: "Dancing With The Stars"

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Mills was kept until next-to-last on the live, two-hour broadcast. She proved graceful in a foxtrot with her partner, Jonathan Roberts. The routine even included a kick with her artificial left leg.

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Photos: Where Are The Dancers Now?

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The couple got a warm reception from the panel of three judges.

"You've got more guts than Rambo," said Bruno Tonioli, who went on to criticize not her legs but her top half — her arms — during the performance.

Said fellow judge Len Goodman, "There was far more right about that routine than was wrong."

The judges' total score: 18 out of 30.

Mills McCartney told viewers she hoped her appearance would inspire others with a disability: "A little kid sitting there who's just lost a limb, I hope they're gonna go, 'Oh, I can.' "

For Mills McCartney, who lost the lower part of her left leg in a traffic accident 14 years ago, the competition isn't just a chance to demonstrate what she can do on the dance floor.

It may also be a chance to repair an image that has suffered during her bitter breakup with Paul McCartney, from whom she separated last May after four years of marriage. The couple, who have a 3-year-old daughter, began divorce proceedings in July.

Other contestants included former "Beverly Hills 90210" star Ian Ziering (partnered with professional dancer Cheryl Burke). They started things off with a cha-cha.

Former 'N Sync member Joey Fatone (with partner Kym Johnson) got the night's highest score from the judges: 24 out of a possible 30.

Other contenders include boxer Laila Ali; country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus, Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey and former "Cheers" star John Ratzenberger.

On "Dancing With the Stars," the contenders are rated through a combination of viewer voting and judges' scores.

Mills McCartney and the 10 other stars will have another chance to show their stuff next Monday, before the season's first elimination on next Tuesday's show.

[ekucrew]

Seriously folks....what exactly makes her have "star" attached to her resume???

BTW...I think Ian looks great with his new set of hair plugs....kudos to Dr. Bosley!

[erasmus6]

I agree with kpbkpb.
The judges are always talking about how your suppose to "point your toes". Heather Mills has said she is never going to be able to point her toes, so therefore she should be gone. I know that I sound like a b-i-t-c-h, but I can't help it, I don't like her. In fact I can't stand looking at her. I don't believe for one moment that she is on there to inspire others with a disability. She strikes me as an extremely selfish person.

[kpbkpb]

Graceful? Hardly... But she did make her way stiffly, and I'm not talking about her leg. Her head, shoulder and arm movements were as stiff as a board. Did she get a sympathy vote from the judges? You bet she did. Billy Ray has never professionally danced and has two left feet. Did they give him an inch? Nor did they give any toward the ballplayer. Yes, ABC hyped up her leg (or lack of) during the entire show. Will I watch again, no. If they are going to be fair, fair is for all. You don't give her a break (whether they meant to or not) because she has an artifical limb and decided to come onboard to be saint and clean up one's reputation as a spoiled brat.