As the 8pm premiere of Dancing with the Stars inches closer and closer, Access Hollywood reports that now the infamous dumpee from The Bachelor, Melissa Rycroft, will replace Access Hollywood host Nancy O'Dell, who had to leave Dancing with the Stars because of injuries.  Country singer Jewel also reportedly made an early exit from Dancing with the Stars due to injuries and will allegedly be replaced by The Girls Next Door star Holly Madison.

ABC has yet to confirm the news, saying that an official announcement will be made on the show's premiere tonight.  O'Dell suffered a twist to her right knee during rehearsals and has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus, while Jewel has suffered fractured tibiae in both legs.

Rycroft gained instant popularity after The Bachelor Jason Mesnick dumped her in the After the Final Rose special for the other finalist, six weeks after Mesnick proposed to her in the reality dating series.  Both shows air on ABC.

Rycroft, a 25-year-old sales representative from Dallas, Texas, has a background in ballet in addition to her cheerleading skills courtesy of her stint with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, enough to supposedly make up for all the lost rehearsal time.  Paired with professional Tony Dovolani, Rycroft is expected to perform live in the DWTS premiere.

As if two celebrities bowing out prematurely weren't enough, actor and model Gilles Marini of Sex and the City the movie fame has also been diagnosed with tendonitis in his shoulder and groin.

The eighth season of Dancing with the Stars premieres tonight at 8pm on ABC, in which both Jewel and O'Dell will appear to talk about their injuries.



- Glenn Paul Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Access Hollywood, People
(Image courtesy of ABC)