Jaleel White didn't know about 'Jerkel'

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LOS ANGELES, April 7 (UPI) -- Actor Jaleel White says he didn't know he's been dubbed "Jerkel" by "Dancing with the Stars" fans in reaction to his angry blowup at dance partner Kym Johnson.

"I didn't even know [about the nickname]," White told People magazine. "I've stayed offline. I don't think that's what people are saying. That's what certain Web sites or comments boards are coming up with for fodder, and it will pass."

The nickname "Jerkel" is a play on White's character name Urkel on "Family Matters."

He said fans should judge him by his dancing talent and his relationship with Johnson on the dance floor, not an incident he says has been "completely exaggerated," People reported Sunday.

Show sources said White stepped on Johnson's foot during a rehearsal last week, then screamed at her because he thought she was overreacting about how much it hurt.

"Jaleel definitely was out of line," an insider told People.com. "It basically didn't have anything to do with Kym or her foot -- he was just stressed out and ready to snap."