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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Rutland
Posts: 25,358
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Rutland
Posts: 25,358
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Why viewers are getting behind \'Dancing Pig\' Sergeant (...it\'s Strictly to upset the judges)
Quote:
Why viewers are getting behind 'Dancing Pig' Sergeant (...it's Strictly to upset the judges) It might not say much for John Sergeant's skill on the dancefloor.
But it bodes well for his chances of making it to the final of Strictly Come Dancing.
In a survey of 3,000 TV voters, 41 per cent said they voted for the former BBC political correspondent just to upset judges such as Arlene Phillips.
And some 53 per cent of those who backed him on Sunday said they did so, not because of his talent, but because the contestant known as 'the Dancing Pig' makes them laugh.
The results confirmed the BBC's fear that no matter how badly he performs, his fans are determined to keep him. Judges are becoming increasingly frustrated that the 64-year-old is still in the competition while better dancers have been voted off.
Despite scooping the lowest score of the night, the public's support for Sergeant saw him avoid the dance-off again.
Bookies have been forced to slash the odds on him winning after a betting surge.
The judges have made no secret of their desire to get him out, giving him some of the harshest comments ever on the show.
On Sunday, actress Cherie Lunghi, 56, lost out, becoming the ninth person to be voted off despite having been a favourite to win.
She told the BBC Breakfast programme yesterday: 'It is almost like there are two shows. John is dancing and competing, but there is this whole soap thing and is sympathy for the character.'
Her dance partner James Jordan added: 'I understand the show is successful because we have people like John Sergeant, but enough is enough.'
Head judge Len Goodman says Sergeant's success 'made a nonsense of the show', while Arlene Phillips admits she would be 'desolate' if he won.
But a spokesman for www.onepoll.com, which conducted the survey said: 'Seeing the judges get increasingly frustrated by the public's decision to save John is making this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
'The fact that John isn't the most gifted dancer makes him more endearing and his presence brings a smile to viewers.
'It is supposed to be entertainment, so the judges should be more encouraging.
'He has captured the hearts of the nation. I wouldn't be surprised if he made the final.'
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Source: Daily Mail
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