Imagine how Kelly Monaco is feeling right now.

The “Dancing with the Stars” champion will indeed have to lace up her dancing shoes once more and defend a title she won just months ago on ABC’s surprise summer hit.

The network announced they will air the special “Dancing with the Stars: Dance-off,” pitting Monaco against runner-up John O’Hurley, on September 20.

This comes after viewers complained that the former Seinfeld star, O’Hurley, performed consistently better than Monaco — prompting speculation the contest was fixed.

When the dance competition wrapped in July, ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson was grilled about Monaco?s victory and viewer perceptions of possible ABC influence.

Monaco stars in the ABC soap opera “General Hospital.”

“Do I understand it? I guess I understand that people are going to have strong preferences. I love that people are so wrapped up in the show,? McPherson said at the time.

The 90-minute dance-off program will see Monaco reunited with dance partner Alec Mazo and O’Hurley with Charlotte Jorgensen. The Monaco and O’Hurley teams will compete in Latin, ballroom and freestyle dances.

?Bring it on,” Monaco said when asked about having to defend herself and her title. “You want a dance-off, come on up here. I?ll give you a dance-off.”

The results of the dance-off will be announced two nights later, on September 22, in a 30-minute special.

The same judges, Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, are returning, but they will not be allowed to vote on performances, only comment. The Monaco-O’Hurley winner will be determined solely by audience online and phone voting.






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