Fans took to social media to congratulate Valerie Harper after the actress, who’s battling brain cancer, was the latest celebrity booted off “Dancing With the Stars” Monday.
Harper, 74 — a TV legend for her roles on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Rhoda” — had been an inspirational fan favorite despite struggling with her dance steps and knee problems in the four weeks of competition.
But rather than exert backlash against the judges, who gave Harper and her partner Tristan MacManus a 6-6-6 for their Viennese Waltz, fans voiced disappointment at her exit — while acknowledging her time had come.
“It was very disappointing to see Valerie be the one voted off on last night’s show,” wrote Laurie Morales on the “DWTS” Facebook page. “Even though she certainly was far from the best dancer, I was still personally rooting for her to somehow manage a surprise upset victory.”
“I feel bad that Valerie Harper was voted off — only because she is a fighter and tried so hard!!!” Sharon Webb wrote.
Harper herself took the elimination in stride. After what proved be her swan song dance, to “Carry On” — by the indie pop band fun. — she told the judges and audience the experience had been “absolutely wonderful.”
“It was an opportunity for me to carry a message for folks, not just with cancer, whatever they have, whatever challenge, like our song, ‘Carry On, Carry On,’ ” she said.
Harper is the third celeb to be voted off the dancing competition show following “Science Guy” Bill Nye and former NFLer Keyshawn Johnson.