'She's amazing': Derek Hough praises dance partner Bindi Irwin who overcomes painful foot injury on Dancing With The Stars

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 00:38 EST, 29 September 2015 | Updated: 02:52 EST, 29 September 2015

Bindi Irwin received high praise from Derek Hough on Monday night after learning a complicated quickstep in two just days for Dancing With The Stars.

Bindi, the 17-year-old daughter of deceased Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, also had been struggling with a foot injury that had hampered her rehearsal efforts.

‘It’s really painful if I’m honest,’ the bubbly teenager confided to her professional dance partner Derek Hough, 30.

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Quick study: Bindi Irwin was praised by her pro partner Derek Hough on Monday for learning a complicated quickstep in a short time for Dancing With The Stars

The wildlife conservationist had plenty to live up to after being dubbed the ‘fan favourite’ and rising to the top of the leaderboard last week. 

But her head start was thwarted when her allocated music was swapped at the last minute.

‘The producers couldn’t get clearance for The Jetsons theme tune in time,’ said Derek backstage.

Television theme: Derek and Bindi danced to Movin' On Up from The Jeffersons

She's tough: Bindi overcame a painful ankle injury while remaining upbeat during rehearsals

Different dance: Derek was informed by producers that they didn't get clearance for The Jetsons

‘That gives us two days for a totally different dance,’ he fretted as they switched to Movin' On Up from The Jeffersons.

Bindi, who had never danced formally before the competition, had been putting on a brave face with a sore foot but she was required to perform in heels for the tough routine.

Despite their setbacks the duo received four 8's from the panel – giving them 32 points out of 40.

Moving up: The dancing team scored a respectable 32 out of 40 points

Strong performance: Bindi didn't appeared to be hampered by her ankle

On the floor: Derek and Bindi tore up the dance floor

‘You have such great energy, I know everyone in this ballroom loves you,’ said Alfonso Ribeiro, aka Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, who was a guest judge for the night.

‘Just make sure that posture is in line…bring that butt in a little bit,’ added the actor and former DWTS champion.

Julianne Hough called them ‘a joy to watch’ but decided that it was not their best dance of the season so far.

Sister critique: Julianne Hough said it was a joy to watch Derek and Bindi

‘I love your energy, but you have to learn to control it,’ agreed flamboyant judge Bruno Tonioli.

‘You can’t bounce all the time in the quickstep,’ he added, while pointing out their loss of frame.

Derek however was thrilled.

Fair enough: Derek seemed pleased with their scores

Family affair: Terri Irwin and son Robert cheered on Bindi

‘I’m in absolute awe of this woman, this girl, she’s amazing,’ he gushed, giving her a theatrical bow.

‘I can’t believe it, it’s miraculous,’ he added.

Breathless after the dance Bindi seemed confident she’d be even livelier next week.

‘I’m sure my foot will be better by then,’ grinned the cheerful star, who is dating the professional wakeboarder Chandler Powell.

High praise: Derek spoke glowingly of Bindi while being interviewed by Erin Andrews

All of the dance teams remained in the competition following the early withdrawal of Kim Zolciak after the show’s lawyers ruled that she was medically unfit to take part.

The mother of six suffered a mini-stroke last week – but said she felt healthy enough to continue the competition.

‘I feel great…I’ve been rehearsing…but my doctor told me it was too soon to fly,’ complained the reality star – calling in from her home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Video message: Kim Zolciak appeared in a video from her home in Atlanta

‘I have been rehearsing all week,’ added the wig-loving 37-year-old, who is married to NFL star Kroy Biermann, 30.

The former Real Housewife was struck down after a blood clot caused the small stroke – but she assumed she’d be able to return to the competition.

‘I love it,’ she said tearfully.

Bummed out: Kim was sad that she had to forfeit from the competition

‘I’m really sad,’ she added after she was forced to forfeit the contest entirely.

Her partner Tony Dovolani asked the host Tom Bergeron, 60, if the rules could be ‘bent’.

‘I think you’d have to talk to our legal team…the producers did, and they basically said that the rules are the rules,’ said the host.

Bending the rules: Tony Dovolani asked if the rules could be bent for Kim

The revelation was part of 'TV Night' – where each dance was themed to a popular show.

Former DWTS champion Alfonso Ribeiro, aka Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, was guest judge.

Backstreet Boy Nick Carter was back with redheaded pro Sharna Burgess.

Top scores: Nick Carter and pro partner Sharna Burgess pulled down the highest scores

Smooth routine: The dance partners nailed a Viennese waltz with a Downtown Abbey theme

The 35-year-old singer nailed a Viennese waltz infused with a Downton Abbey love story.

‘You were a leading man tonight…best dance of the night,’ said Julianne while Bruno called it ‘masterpiece theatre’.

They received an excellent score of 36 – highest of the evening.

Drinks in hand: Nick held a drink until he accidentally dropped it

‘Magic happens when you let yourself go,’ he said, before smashing a glass on the carpet.

‘My arms gave out because we worked so hard during the week,’ panted the aging boyband star.

Another strong dance came from 'Paris train hero' Alek Skarlatos – who channeled his inner vampire for Bad Things from True Blood.

Strong dance: Alek Skarlatos and pro partner Lindsay Arnold danced with a True Blood theme

‘I’m definitely not a sexy guy,’ complained the 22-year-old to his partner Lindsay Arnold beforehand.

‘True talent runs in your blood,’ commended Bruno but Carrie Ann Inaba spotted a ‘boo boo’ in the middle of the dance.

‘But if you didn’t have game before then you sure do now,’ she told the Army National Guardsman.

Mixed reviews: Julianne thought their dance was 'perfection'

‘I didn’t see that mess up,’ disagreed Julianne, calling the dance ‘perfection’.

Last of the night was teen Internet star Hayes Grier, with British pro Emma Slater.

The 15-year-old pounded out a jive to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soundtrack – receiving 30 points.

Turtle dance: Hayes Grier and Emma Slater danced to a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme

Decent dance: The judges were not overly impressed with the routine

Bruno called him ‘an effective performer,’ but requested tighter kicks and flicks.

‘Not your best performance,’ said Carrie Ann, who thought it lacked energy.

Kim departure meant that no other couples were eliminated - but singer Andy Grammer and chef Paula Deen were left in jeopardy.

Golden age: Carlos PenaVega and Witne Carson performed as geriatrics in a Golden Girls theme

Jazz dance: The duo performed a swinging jazz routine and scored 31 out of 40

First of the night was Carlos Pena Jr. and Witney Carson. They did a swirling jazz routine, while dressed as a silver-haired geriatrics.

Their song was Thank You for Being a Friend from the Golden Girls - for which they scored 31 out of 40

‘They smell like menthol,’ joked Tom Bergeron.

Special guest: Kermit joined host Tom Bergeron early in the show

‘I’m hoping I can move half as well as that at this age,’ quipped Carrie Ann, but Alfonso encouraged Carlos to be ‘more expressive’.

Next was Paula and Louis who bombed with their samba to the theme song from Gilligan's Island.

The 68-year-old cook had been struggling with fatigue and tears - leading to a meager score of 20.

Tired out: Paula Deen was growing fatigued with the heavy practice schedule

Julianne liked their use of ‘botafogo steps’ but thought they became too ‘carried away’ with the theme of the dance.

‘I wanted it to be better,’ she frowned.

‘The samba got stranded by the shipwreck,’ scolded Bruno, who said it ‘went to pieces’ and lacked bounce.

Good effort: The celebrity chef gave it her best when it came time to perform

Tamar Braxton and Val Chermovskiy attempted to inject some chemistry into their partnership with a fierce tango to Mad Men’s theme song.

‘You two mean ruthless business, competitors to the end!’ yelled Bruno while Carrie Ann called it ‘must see TV’.

Alfonso called them ‘frontrunners’ and they were awarded accordingly with 33 points.

Team to beat: Reigning champion Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Tamar Braxton put in another strong dance

Strong chemistry: Tamar and Val seemed to match up well together on the dance floor

Clad in Breaking Bad hazmat suits Alexa PenaVega, 27, and Mark Ballas made a jazzy show of the meth cooking game.

‘It’s my favourite show ever,’ said Mark who wore a faux bald head to replicate the protagonist Walter White.

‘Kudos Mark, that was genius,’ said Carrie Ann, as the other judges nodded appreciatively.

Hit show: Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas performed with a Breaking Bad theme

Nailed it: Mark and Alexa received a score of 36 out of 40

‘Absolutely nothing is wrong with that,’ agreed Bruno.

Thanks to their improved ‘teamwork’ they received a sky high 36.

Andy Grammer and Allison Holker did a 1950's style quickstep to Dick Clark’s popular show American Bandstand – gaining 29 points.

Popular show: Andy Grammer and Allison Holker performed to American Bandstand theme

Working it: The dance team performed energetically

Alfonso and Julianne criticised their posture but praised the energy and footwork.

‘I loved the upbeat and nostalgic feel,’ said Bruno, who said wanted to see more precision next week.

Pointbreak star Gary Busey, 71, went spooky with a tango to The Addams Family theme.

Fan favourite: Gary Busey performed to The Addams Family theme

Strong performance: Gary and pro partner Anna Trebunskaya were praised by the judges

Hoping to redeem himself after last week’s shoddy pasa doble he managed to add 25 points to his failing numbers.

‘He’s a very competitive person,’ said his partner Anna Trebunskaya.

‘You did the tango, you did it my darling,’ praised Bruno while Carrie Ann called him ‘handsome’ and elegant.

Next week the show continues on ABC.

Scary dance: Anna and Gary had a spooky setup

Nice lines: Gary extended nicely during their dance

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