'DWTS' energy 'better without Maksim'

Aaron Carter has claimed that the "energy" is better on Dancing With The Stars since Maksim Chmerkovskiy left.

Chmerkovskiy and Entourage star Debi Mazar were the fourth couple to be voted off the show last week.

Carter's professional partner Karina Smirnoff ended her eight-month engagement to Chmerkovskiy in September.

"The energy has definitely gotten a lot better," the former child popstar told Us. "We have the opportunity now to focus on the dancing without the drama."

However, Carter has insisted that he does not want a relationship with his dance partner. "She's a little too old for me," he said.

Smirnoff and Carter only scored 18 points in Week Four of the ABC series. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticised Carter for "trying too hard" and "going way over the top".