[GiRTh]

John Sergeant has sensationally quit Strictly Come Dancing.

The former political journalist received strong support from the public since the show started, but the judges made no secret of their desire to get him out.

In a statement, the 64-year-old announced today: 'I am sorry to say I have decided to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

'It was always my intention to have fun on the show and I was hoping to stay in as long as possible.'

'The trouble is that there is now a real danger that I might win the competition. Even for me that would be a joke too far.'
John Sergeant

Surprise exit: John Sergeant today announced he has quit Strictly Come Dancing

He also thanked his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff and 'all those viewers who have been rooting for me through the series'.

BBC One controller Jay Hunt said: 'We are very sad to see him go.'

It comes after a survey of 3,000 TV voters revealed almost half voted for the former BBC political correspondent just to upset judges.


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' made them laugh.

The results confirmed the BBC's fear that no matter how badly he performed, his fans were determined to keep him.

Judges were becoming increasingly frustrated that he was still in the competition while better dancers were voted off, giving him some of the harshest comments ever on the show.
CHERIE LUNGHI and JAMES JORDAN

Sergeant apologised to Cherie after her unexpected departure, which followed a dance-off against actress Lisa Snowdon

Despite scooping the lowest score of the night, the public's support for Sergeant saw him avoid the dance-off again.

Bookies were forced to slash the odds on him winning after a betting surge.

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 admitted she would be 'desolate' if he won.

Source