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Low scores shuttle off adored celeb on ‘Dancing’

Aldrin and his professional partner finished in last place during the dance competition show's three weeks of competition. He earned just 13 points out of 30 for his waltz on Monday.
/ Source: The Associated Press

Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon, but he won't be spending any more time on the dance floor.

The 80-year-old astronaut was eliminated Tuesday from "Dancing With the Stars."

Aldrin and his professional partner, Ashly Costa, consistently finished in last place during the ABC show's three weeks of competition. He earned just 13 points out of 30 for his waltz on Monday's episode.

Still, Costa told him "I'm proud of you" after the couple learned their fate.

Aldrin said he surprised himself by appearing on the hit ABC show.

"I never thought I'd walk on the moon, but I certainly never thought I'd dance on TV," he said on Tuesday's episode.

Host Tom Bergeron told Aldrin that he remembers watching the moon mission on TV as a kid and that he was honored to work with the legendary astronaut.

Aldrin said he joined the "Dancing" cast to inspire interest in the space program and to honor veterans and "elder geezers."

"I did this show for the fighter pilots out there, the military people and the elder geezers like me who would just like to see an elder come back week after week," Aldrin said. "I'm interested also in having the public be thankful for the great successes we had in the Apollo program and look forward to even greater successes in the future."

Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine which celebrity is eliminated each week.

Tuesday's episode also featured a performance by Reba McEntire, who said her "Dancing" favorites are Olympic figure skater Evan Lysacek, sportscaster Erin Andrews and singer Nicole Scherzinger.

Besides those three, the remaining competitors include reality TV stars Jake Pavelka and Kate Gosselin, actors Pamela Anderson, Niecy Nash and Aiden Turner, and football star Chad Ochocinco.

Each will perform again Monday, when they will earn two separate scores from each judge, one for technique and one for performance.