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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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John should not quit the show. The public like him and I will vote for him just so he can win the damn thing.
Posted by: chrishallone on Wed Nov 19 12:18PM | Report abuseTypical politics yet again that gets in the way. At the end of the day if the public wanted John to win then fair enough. We as the public have the privilage to choose and in doing so we are contributing to charity. People are taking this far to seriously and need to remember what the facts are about Strictly come dancing!
Posted by: picturethiscranwell on Wed Nov 19 12:18PM | Report abuseYes its good he has gone,he was obviously embarrased.We all like an underdog but i feel he took it for granted and was a bit smarmy about that fact
Posted by: garydkerr on Wed Nov 19 12:18PM | Report abuseJohn was the nicest man around a role model for this country.
Posted by: vmfsuk on Wed Nov 19 12:18PM | Report abuseWhat a shame. If John was to win this dancing thing, he could then go onto X factor, hopefully win that and then as a reward get sent to the jungle to become the King. He could then retire to the big brother house and then, just maybe, people could see what a load of drivel these stale old programmes are. Come on TV lets have something new. Ditch them all.
Posted by: big_rowler on Wed Nov 19 12:18PM | Report abuseJohnh should notb quit,but if he still decides to go,the show should be scrapped ,the so called judges sacked (and never employed again) and the money saved spent on some decent programmes not the dross dished out now.
Posted by: terryporritt on Wed Nov 19 12:18PM | Report abuseAt the end of the day its an entertainment show. There can only be one winner. I doubt John would of won but probably made the final.....wasn't it the same for Spencer in a previous series. He entertained but the public voted for a good dancer to WIN the series. Poor John. I'll miss watching him perform.
Posted by: nicolanoonoo on Wed Nov 19 12:18PM | Report abuseYes he should have quit, he did the right thing! Strictly is a dance competition and as such the celebrities should be judged on their dancing abilities and not personality.
Posted by: victoria.miles18 on Wed Nov 19 12:19PM | Report abuseWhat a shame, I do think he was probably right to quit though, the whole show had become about him. I don't understand why the producers choose people like him to appear in the show, if they aren't allowed to get further than the first few weeks. It's obvious that popularity plays a huge part - it's a primetime Saturday night show that relies on the public spending money to save the people they like. Farcical!
Posted by: kt_harland on Wed Nov 19 12:19PM | Report abuseThis is clearly a CONSPIRACY. he has obviously been forced off. Cancel the show NOW and refund all viewer phone costs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: rob_emanuel on Wed Nov 19 12:19PM | Report abuse