Rick Fox ousted in shocking 'Dancing' elimination

Fox and his pro-dance partner Cheryl Burke were ousted from the popular reality dance competition Tuesday night after the scores they earned from the judges during Monday night's performance show were combined with the home viewer votes that were cast afterwards.

Another shocking elimination
Fox and Burke had earned their highest scores yet for their ballroom efforts on Monday's special 200th episode, but apparently failed to impress American TV audiences with their performance, reports Daily Mail.

Tuesday night’s elimination announcement came with a great shock at least for the show's judges who had praised the dancing couple’s Monday’s performance.

Fox and Burke, the Dancing couple with measurable height difference, had tied for third place on Monday night's judging leaderboard after receiving 61 out of 70 possible points during Monday night's show.

They received 9-9-9 from judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, and perfect 10 from guest judge Helio Castroneves.

Goodman described their performance as 'full throttle', and both Tonioli and Inaba agreed, saying that it was their best yet.

Fox waved goodbye
Despite getting satisfactory scores from the judges, the 6ft 6ins tall Fox didn't get enough votes from home-based U.S. viewers to keep him in the competition.

Tuesday night’s elimination announcement came with a great shock at least for the show's judges who had praised the dancing couple’s Monday’s performance.

The 41-year-old sports star whose TV actress girlfriend Eliza Dushku was in the audience with his young daughter felt surprised after learning his fate on Dancing, reports Daily.

“I didn't have any idea, you try to stay in positive frame of mind,” Fox said after the show host Tom Bergeron announced his elimination.

“It's the seventh week though and the numbers do decline and someone has to go home.

"Thank you to the judges, thank you to my fellow contestants. Cheryl, [you] did an amazing job working with a tall jolly green giant.

"It's been a transformational journey for me, it's been amazing. My relationship has transformed with my girlfriend. [And] my daughter -- it's the most enjoyable time having her here and sharing this with me as well."

Remaining dancing stars
Fox is the seventh contestant eliminated from season 10 of 'Dancing' following Audrina Patridge’s surprising ouster last week.

Still in the running for the coveted mirror ball trophy, along with their professional dance partners, are R&B singer Brandi, Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol Palin, TV actor Kyle Massey, NFL star Kurt Warner and movie star Jennifer Grey.

Fox joins previously eliminated contestants David Hasselhoff, Michael Bolton, Margaret Cho, the reality star Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, Florence Henderson and Audrina Patridge.