Nutrisystem Dumps Lawrence Taylor

Company says it's "shocked and saddened" by rape allegations; former DWTS contestant out of jail

Lawrence Taylor's out of jail. And that's about the only good news for the former Dancing With the Stars twinkle toes.

Turns out Nutrisystem doesn't think having an accused rapist on the payroll is a good idea (go figure) and has dumped the NFL Hall of Famer as its pitchman.

"We are shocked and saddened by these very serious allegations against Lawrence Taylor," the company says in a statement. "Based on the severity of these allegations, Nutrisystem has made the decision to sever our relationship with Mr. Taylor effective immediately."

Taylor, who shed 35 pounds on the program, pleaded innocent to one felony count of third-degree rape and a misdemeanor count of patronizing a prostitute. But apparently that whole innocent-until-proven-guilty business doesn't count when it comes to attracting customers.

"We are deeply protective of the reputation of our brand," says Nutrisystem.

Before Taylor's svelte mug popped up on a police booking sheet, the famed footballer had been one of a number of thin-happy celebrities whose likeness graced Nutrisystem's website.

Soon after news broke that Taylor had been taken into custody early Thursday for allegedly beating and raping a 16-year-old runaway-turned-prostitute, the company wasted no time yanking the linebacker from its lineup.

Taylor, meanwhile, posted the requisite $75,000 bond Thursday evening and was released from an upstate New York lockup.

His wife, Lynette, had been scheduled to appear last night on Larry King Live but bailed at the last minute, presumably on the advice of her husband's lawyers.

Makes sense. We doubt she withdrew to hold a welcome-home party.