Teen star Cody Linley, who was just reunited with his professional partner Julianne Hough after she underwent surgery to have her appendix removed, got to perform his last dance before being given the boot.

Just days ahead his 19th birthday, Linley was forced to hand in his dancing shoes after landing in last place with the judges for the third week in a row, and failing to rally enough viewer votes to keep him in the competition.

The actor bravely accepted defeat in a goodbye speech worthy of someone 10 years his senior, thanking the whole world for the support and opportunity to "inspire someone to want to dance…"

"Words can't even explain the true, amazing, growing, learning journey that I've had on this show," the star gushed upon his dismissal. "I can't show my appreciation any more to Julianne [Hough]…I just love her so much and this opportunity has been so amazing…

Linley's elimination means that the three pairs that qualified for next week's finals are Brooke Burke and Derek Hough, Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson and Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer. One of the three couples will be going home with the mirror ball trophy.

Guest of honor, Aretha Franklin, also known as the "Queen of Soul," performed her hit song, "Respect," while Season six champions Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas danced a new routine. Franklin also performed her classic "Chain of Fools," Anna Trebunskaya, Karina Smirnoff, Louis van Amstel and Artem Chigvintsev accompanied her.