Chaz Dedicates Dancing Performance to Late Dad Bono

Cher's son Chaz Bono dedicated his performance on U.S. reality show DANCING WITH the STARS on Monday (03Oct11) to his father Sonny Bono as he danced to the late singer's track Laugh AT ME.

The transgender star has been showing off his fancy footwork with professional partner Lacey Schwimmer on the TV contest, and danced the rumba this week to the sounds of his beloved dad's voice.

During Monday's programme, Bono explained his choice of song had a deeper meaning, saying the tune's message was, "If you have a problem with me, then it's your problem, not mine".

He tells UsMagazine.com, "My dad would have... really enjoyed it. I knew if I got an opportunity, I knew I'd use that song. I love that song. I wanted to pay respect to my dad and his legacy. That was really important".

The track was in response to critics who have hit out at TV executives'decision to pair Bono, who has undergone extensive surgery to become a man, with female professional Schwimmer.

The couple's rumba failed to win over the show's judges, however, and they are facing elimination on Tuesday night's (04Oct11) programme with just 18 points out of 30 - the lowest score of all 10 contestants.

But Bono's superstar mother Cher is praying he survives the public votefor another week - because she's planning on cheering on her son in person in the Los Angeles studio next week (begs10Oct11).

After Monday's Dancing With The Stars, she posted on Twitter.com, "God hope Chaz hangs on till next week so I can come sit in the Audience and Watch".

Chaz has yet to perform to any of his famous mother's hits.