Leave him alone! Cher blasts the haters as she praises son Chaz Bono for 'courageous' DWTS signing



Cher has rushed to her son's defence over his decision to sign up with Dancing With The Stars amid of flurry of cruel comments on internet chat forums.

Chaz Bono, who recently underwent a female-to-male sex change, will compete in the the ABC show alongside professional dancer Lacey Schwimmer.

The 42-year-old, seen here arriving for rehearsals today, is being put through his paces by Lacey and seems to be enjoying the experience so far.

Staying strong: Chaz Bono arrives for rehearsals today in Los Angeles for Dancing With The Stars and has thanked his mother Cher for her support after he was derided on net for signing up to the show

But it is his protective mother who has taken the criticism of her son most to heart.

Writing on Twitter today, Cher blasted: 'Lovelies! Chaz is Being Viciously Attacked on Blogs & Message boards about being on DWTS!

Protective: Super star Cher with Chaz, pictured in Hollywood last year

'This is Still America right? It took guts 2 do it.'

She continued: 'I support him no matter what he chooses 2do!' adding : 'God! will there always be haters! It took COURAGE 2 do dwts! TG Chaz has an Unlimited supply.'

She rounded by urging people to show their support for him, posting: 'Can u guys check out sites & give him your support?

'BTW ...Mothers don't stop Getting angry with stupid bigots who fk with their children!'

Chaz appeared to be grateful for his mother's support - although resolutely insisted he wasn't letting the bad-mouthing get him down.

He tweeted back: '@cher Thanks for all your support mom. The haters are just motivating me to work harder and stay on DWTS as long as I possibly can.'

Chaz even injected some humour, writing on Twitter: 'Just finished another great rehearsals with @LaceySchwimmer. She's kicking my but [sic] all around the dance floor, and I think I like it.'

Rushing to his defence: Cher blasted the haters who have mocked Chaz and said he has made a courageous move

'Thanks mom': Chaz appreciated his mother's support and tweet back his thanks

Bono only told his mother he was taking part in the show the day before it was officially announced on ABC on Monday.

Speaking to Ryan Seacrest today on the KIIS radio breakfast show he explained: 'She really thought it was great that I was doing it and I just wanted to know how I was feeling about it, if I was nervous and how it was going.

Explaining why he left it so late until her told her about the show, he said ABC 'put the fear of God into me,' adding: 'I really wanted to respect their wanting to try to keep this private as long as possible.'

Hard day of it: Chaz hugs his professional dancer partner Lacey Schwimmer after rehearsals



Doubleact: Chaz tweeted to say he was being worked hard by Lacey, seen here posing together backstage







