Chaz Bono creates TV history

Cher.

Brett Wortman

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CHER is delighted her son will compete in the new season of 'Dancing with the Stars'.

Chaz Bono - who was born a female named Chastity and began gender reassignment surgery around three years ago - says his famous mother has been making sure he's not nervous about performing.

He said: "She really thought it was great that I was doing it and wanted to know how I was feeling about it, if I was nervous and how it was going."

Cher has already taken to twitter to defend her son - the programme's first transgender contestant - saying: "Lovelies! Chaz is Being Viciously Attacked on Blogs & Message boards about being on DWTS! This is Still America right? It took guts 2 do it.

"I support him no matter what he chooses 2do! God! will there always be haters! It took COURAGE 2 do dwts!...Chaz has an Unlimited [supply]. (sic)"

Chaz took to his own twitter page to thank his mother for her support and reveal the criticism he has received has made him more determined to do well on the show.

He wrote: "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.

Meanwhile, Chaz has revealed he was thrilled to have instantly "hit it off" with his professional dancing partner Lacey Schwimmer.

He said: "We kind of instantly hit it off. She has a great attitude for teaching me."