John Ratzenberger Of ‘Cheers’ Joins ‘Dancing’ Cast

LOS ANGELES (March 2, 2007) — A hitman is being replaced by a mailman on “Dancing With the Stars.”

ABC says John Ratzenberger– best known as Cliff Claven from “Cheers” — will take over for Vincent Pastore, who quit after only one week.

Pastore had said it was too “physically demanding.”

The former “Sopranos” star, who was offed from Tony’s gang, left the program after concluding ten weeks of cutting a rug would be too difficult for the 60 year old.

“When I initially committed to joining ?Dancing with the Stars,’ I didn’t realize just how physically demanding it would be for me. Unable to put forth my best effort, I felt it appropriate to step aside and give someone else the opportunity,” Pastore said in a statement. “I’d like to thank ABC and the show’s producers for inviting me to participate. I wish my partner, Edyta, and the other dancers the best of luck.”’

The producers had asked Ratzenberger to be on the show before, but he had a scheduling conflict.

Ratzenberger turns 60 this month, the same age as Pastore.

The rest of the “Dancing” field:

Laila Ali (partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy)Billy Ray Cyrus (partner Karina Smirnoff)Clyde Drexler (partner Elena Grinenko)Joey Fatone (partner Kym Johnson)Shandi Finnessey (partner Brian Fortuna)Leeza Gibbons (partner Tony Dovolani)Heather Mills (partner Jonathan Roberts)Apolo Anton Ohno (partner Julianne Hough)Paulina Porizkova (partner Alec Mazo)Ian Ziering (partner Cheryl Burke)

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