Kim Kardashian 'shouldn't have responded to Lockett'

Dancing with the Stars pro Mark Ballas has said that Kim Kardashian should have stayed quiet over recent cheating claims.

New England Patriots safety Brett Lockett recently claimed that he and Kardashian had carried on a five-month relationship which continued even after she began dating fiancé Kris Humphries - allegations which Kardashian fiercely denies.

Ballas, who partnered Kardashian on Dancing's seventh season, admitted that he understands Kardashian's instinct to set the record straight on Lockett's claims.

"Kim probably shouldn't have said anything, shouldn't have fought back," Ballas told PopEater. "But sometimes it's hard to just say nothing. I think it's the best thing to do, but if someone was saying that about me, I'd fight back."

However, Ballas insisted that he has no doubt that Kardashian will put the scandal behind her, adding: "Kim's a beautiful person inside and out. She's just really happy. She's a tough chick. She knows exactly what she's doing."

Kim's sister Khloe has described Lockett as "crazy" and "very sad".