Paula Deen Says 'No Thanks' to DANCING WITH THE STARS Invite

US Weekly reports exclusively that beleaguered chef Paula Deen has turned down an invitation to compete on the upcoming 17th season of ABC's DANCING WITH THE STARS. In the August 19th issue, a source close to the celebrity cook reveals, "The dance floor is not the appropriate forum for her."

Deen's long-standing contract with the Food Network was not renewed when the 66 year-old admitted to using ethnic slurs in a court deposition. She has also lost a host of lucrative endorsement deals in the past several months due to the revelations.

Emmy-winning DWTS host Tom Bergeron told the magazine he hopes Deen will reconsider the offer. "We've seen career resurgences after the show," he commented. "People go, 'I remember why I love that person!'"

Also adding her two-cents into the mix is pro dancer Cheryl Burke who commented in June, "Right now, lots of controversial things are happening around her and her situation, and I think coming on something light and fun would be good for her."

The ABC reality dance competition will return Monday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. This season there will be no results show on Tuesday nights. The new cast will be officially revealed on Good Morning America on September 4th.

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