Pastore drops out of ‘Dancing With the Stars’

updated 8:44 p.m. ET Feb. 28, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Tony Soprano’s hitman-turned-informer is living up to his nickname on “The Sopranos.”

Vincent Pastore has dropped out of  “Dancing with the Stars” after one week of training. He says had no idea it would be so hard.

Pastore, who played gangster Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on “The Sopranos,” is 60. No word yet if he’ll be replaced.

Paul McCartney's estranged wife Heather Mills, Olympian Apolo Anton Ohno, boxer Laila Ali, and former basketball star Clyde Drexler are also in the cast.

“Dancing With the Stars” has proved to be a substantial hit for ABC, although this is the first time it will air when a season of Fox’s “American Idol” is under way. ABC will air its dancing competition on Monday and Tuesday nights to avoid going head-to-head with “American Idol.”

Actor and former country star Billy Ray Cyrus, former ’N Sync member Joey Fatone, Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey, former “Entertainment Tonight” host Leeza Gibbons, model Paulina Porizkova and former “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Ian Ziering round out the cast.

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