Joey Fatone finally ready to go ‘Dancing’

updated 1:55 p.m. ET Dec. 29, 2006

NEW YORK - Actors, pop singers and athletes have busted some moves on "Dancing With the Stars." Now celebs seem eager to appear on ABC's ballroom hit.

Joey Fatone, of former boy band 'N Sync, told a Florida radio station Friday that he's ready to compete on the reality show, which pairs celebrities with professional dancers. Fatone’s interest was first reported by the Web site realityblurred.com, which is run by MSNBC.com contributor Andy Dehnart.

Last month, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, said she's hoping to be a contestant.

Fatone told Orlando-based Real Radio 104.1 that producers had asked him to appear but he’d “turned it down” three times. He’s changed his attitude, the 29-year-old singer said, because “it’s kind of popular now.”

“I like doing it because it’s challenging,” Fatone said of dancing. He added: “Can you imagine me wearing those stupid tuxes?”

Fatone’s agent, Kenny Goodman, wasn’t available Monday. The Associated Press left a message for his assistant.

Ferguson, 47, told TV show “Inside Edition” last month that she’d “quite like to go on ‘Dancing With the Stars.”’

“I’d like them to teach me the tango,” she said.

Ferguson and Britain’s Prince Andrew — aka the Duke of York — divorced in 1996. They have two daughters, princesses Beatrice, 18, and Eugenie, 16.

A representative for ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Co., has told the AP that the roster of celebrity dancers for the fourth season would be announced at a later date.

Each celeb will be paired with a professional dancer for the show’s grueling choreography and performance regimen. Then, as the weeks pass, one couple after another will be kicked off by joint decision of the judges and viewers.

“General Hospital” star Kelly Monaco and her partner upset odds-on favorite John O’Hurley, best known for playing J. Peterman on “Seinfeld,” in the first season of the dance competition.

Audience complaints arose that the voting process was confusing and that Monaco, star of an ABC soap, got preferential treatment. This prompted a rematch, which gave viewers full authority. They awarded the title to O’Hurley.

Other winners include former 98 Degrees pop singer Drew Lachey and football great Emmitt Smith.

Contestants have included Jerry Springer, Vivica A. Fox, Mario Lopez, Tatum O’Neal, George Hamilton and former NFL great Jerry Rice.

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