NEW YORK (Reuters) - Heather Mills
McCartney, vilified in the British press over her bitter divorce
from former Beatle Paul, made her debut in a U.S. television
dancing contest on Monday with the judges calling her an
inspiration.
Mills, 39, the first contestant with an artificial leg to compete
in ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," said she joined the contest to
show you can overcome any disability.
The former model turned charity campaigner wore a pink and creme
sequined dress as she danced the foxtrot with professional dance
partner Jonathan Roberts, receiving a standing ovation from some of
the audience as their routine ended with few wrong steps and with
Mills high-kicking.
"There was far more right about that routine than wrong," said Len
Goodman, one of the three judges. "I think you are an inspiration
to people to get out and dance."
The two other judges also praised her performance and the fact she
joined the contest. Mills had her left leg amputated below the knee
after being hit by a motorcycle in 1993.
But they criticized her tense upper body and gave the pair 18
points, which was middle of the field.
Mills, however, was pleased with the outcome.
"I'm just glad I did not fall over," said Mills, who had previously
joked about flying limbs. "I thought I would be lowest so I am
pleased."
The couple was among 11 pairs taking part in the fourth season of
the popular dancing show on the Walt Disney-owned network in which
professional dancers team up with celebrities in a knock-out
contest.
But it remained to be seen whether the U.S. public whose phone-in
votes count for 50 percent of scores would be as enthusiastic as
the judges, or react as adversely to Mills as the British press,
with the votes to be unveiled next week.
Other celebrities in the new line-up include world female boxing
champion Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, and former 'N
Sync boy band member Joey Fatone.
Mills has been thrust into the media spotlight since her divorce
battle with McCartney started in the middle of last year. As the
divorce grew increasingly nasty, Britain's tabloid newspapers have
portrayed her as a gold-digger seeking to cash in on British icon
McCartney's fortune.