1:47pm Monday 22nd March 2010
© Press Association 2011
Buzz Aldrin has done the moonwalk, but the cha-cha isn't coming quite so easy.
The astronaut has been practising the fast-paced Latin dance for three weeks in preparation for his debut on Dancing With The Stars.
"It's not so easy when things are rapidly moving," the 80-year-old said on his way to a rehearsal with professional partner Ashly Costa. "I enjoy the slower music that I'm very familiar with the words and know what's coming next."
The 10th season of the hit ABC dance show premieres this week. Aldrin will be competing for the coveted mirrorball trophy against Olympic figure skater Evan Lysacek, Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson, reality stars Kate Gosselin and Jake Pavelka, sports broadcaster Erin Andrews, singer Nicole Scherzinger, football star Chad Ochocinco and actors Shannen Doherty, Aiden Turner and Niecy Nash.
"This is a new field for me," Buzz said. "It's going to be fun with everybody."
The astronaut said he's already spent some time with Lysacek, whom he described as "a very agile, coordinated artist" who's likely to be a tough competitor in the ballroom.
"I hope when people think about voting they think about not just the most talented, energetic people with the sexiest uniforms and outfits, but who they want to see develop the next week's dance," Aldrin said, adding that viewers might consider the pairing of "a young, vivacious brunette who's a very talented teacher and dancer" and "someone trying his best to execute maturity and grace".
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