Cheryl and Drew Deny Cheating Allegations

Source
March 22, 2008

Cheryl Burke and Drew Lachey are staunchly denying a tabloid story that says they went from the ballroom to the bedroom.

The sensationalistic Star Magazine report claims the stunning dance pro and married former 98 Degrees band member had an affair after they were partners on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

But when OK! caught up with them at the William S. Paley Television Festival in Hollywood—where they appeared on a panel celebrating the hit reality show--both said the story was pure fiction. Drew tells OK! “It’s nonsense. Anybody that knows me -- and those are the people I care about—they all know that it’s nonsense. I’m trying to keep it in perspective. As long as my wife knows that it’s nonsense, I could really care less. Life is too short to worry about what other people think about you. I know in my heart what happened.”

But the DWTS season two winner and Dance War host, who has been married to wife Lea, the mother of their daughter Isabella, since 2000, admitted the scrutiny has been tough saying, “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it hurts and it affects me.”

However, Drew is looking forward to a special time this weekend with his wife and daughter, who is turning 2. “Easter is actually my daughter’s birthday so we’re having a birthday Easter egg hunt," he explains. "It’s going to be a fun day.”

Career wise, Drew is hoping his show Dance War gets picked up for another season and added, “I’m starting a production company, trying to move behind the scenes as well because you never see a producer being talked about, do you? I’m on the wrong side of things.”

Meanwhile, Cheryl, who led him to victory on DWTS in 2005, tells OK! “Drew and I have been friends for a couple of years, same with the whole Lachey family and it’s just completely absurd, what they’re saying about the whole thing. It’s a shame that people have to sell magazines by selling stories that are not true.

“I’m going to try to ignore it. I’m busy,” said Cheryl, who is currently training her season six partner, actor Cristian de la Fuente. “I’m working, doing something I love to do. I don’t have a lot of time on my hands to sit home and feel sorry for myself.”

By: Carole Glines