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John Sergeant has sensationally pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing.
In a statement released today, he said: "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 has received strong support from the public despite being criticised by the judges each week over his performances.
The phone vote has seen him sail through to the next rounds, while the better dancers have faced the dance-off and axe from the show.
Strictly judge Arlene Phillips said of his departure: "I'm always sad if a contestant leaves of choice, because you are always expecting to let the public vote them in or out - but John is his own person and he has his own reasons for doing this.
However, she denied that the judges were responsible and said: "If you look back, we've actually been quite nice on this programme."
Cherie Lunghi, who was voted off the show on Sunday night, admitted that the show was becoming more like a soap opera.
She said: "It is almost like there are two shows going on. John is dancing and competing, but there is this whole soap thing and sympathy for the character."
Following John's statement today, BBC One controller Jay Hunt said: "We are very sad to see him go."
Do you think John is right to quit Strictly? Let us know what you think...
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To all the people that are taking this as if it were a tragedy or a war, I want say you should find something else to fight for, because its ridiculous you make such a big deal out of this. J.S is a great gentleman, and what he has said and done has all been perfect. I love the program and Ill keep voting for my favorites as always.
Posted by: adoracionmeri on Fri Nov 21 11:02PM | Report abusethink he's a coward. Is that the real reason or is he just worried about upping the pace? 2 dances a week and group dances - would he be fit enough? Think there's more to this than meets the eye!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: lynn.pickersgill on Sat Nov 22 10:04AM | Report abuseim glad that he has gone but it is also bad because if he was going out on sunday then all good people would be in left in the comp but now sum1 good will go out annyway
Posted by: amanda.desouza on Sat Nov 22 11:28AM | Report abuseLet's be honest here. The voters were not for John, but for the continued presence of Christina in her very alluring outfits. At least that was the main discussion in the office every Monday! She's the allure for every hot blooded male in the country. It would have been much better had you paired her with a hot-blooded male instead of lack lustre John, What chemistry there could have been..... There wasn't any at all with John. All credit has to go to Christina for her choreography - not John making a complete fool of himself!
Posted by: margaretansbro on Sat Nov 22 02:42PM | Report abuseI think John Sargeant had the intelligence to understand that his popularity would increase by leaving the show rather than be voted off. I loved his last comment to the judges to night when he thanked them for boosting the public vote for him. Apart from Len and Bruno there is a lot of high faluting nonsense said by the judges. It is obvious that Len gets tired of their longwindedness.
Posted by: joycealexander1 on Sat Nov 22 08:33PM | Report abuseI have watched every SCD & SCDIttakes2 since it started and always tolerated the judges with their bizarre accents. They are bullies - they don't do what they profess to do - judge. They make personal remarks. THEY COST ME TOO MUCH MONEY - SACK THEM. They do not encourage dancing - they put people off with their vicious comments. SACK THEM - GIVE THE MONEY TO THE PROFESSIONALS.
Posted by: junelaushway on Sun Nov 23 03:37PM | Report abuseJudges, Judges, Judges - they got rid of John and the gave Christina really bad marks - shame on them.
Posted by: junelaushway on Sun Nov 23 03:38PM | Report abuse