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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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I think it's the right thing that John has gone, but I don't think that he should have quit the competition. It should have been the choice of the public to have let him go. He was kept in solely for entertainment, and due to the fact that it is a dancing competition he should have gone before Heather Small (who was a much better dancer). I will be sad to see him go, but glad that the good dancers are still there and as much in the competition as ever.
Posted by: treelopancake1987 on Wed Nov 19 12:19PM | Report abuseI am sad to see John go but I do not blame him after the way the judges have treated him. He was good fun and brought something less serious to the show - after all it is Saturday night and the viewers are looking for a little entertainment. He will certainly never make a professional dancer but he was a joy. If the viewers opinion does not count why do we even bother calling.
Posted by: janet_barron on Wed Nov 19 12:19PM | Report abuseI think that John has made a wise decision. I can sympathise that it was a hard decision. My only concern is that Cherie was knocked out before he came to his senses. A joke is a joke and yes he entertained us and helped raise money, but we have all lost the opportunity to see Cherie reach her full potential!
Posted by: nellw1975 on Wed Nov 19 12:19PM | Report abuseI dont think he should have quit. The people that were voting for him should have realised he was becoming more and more quiet and obviously embarrassed by the public keeping him in. I was scared he would end up in the final and boot out one of may favourites!
Posted by: ldaccountancy on Wed Nov 19 12:19PM | Report abuseyes he was a twat....just like the judges, the other contestants and all who watch it....they should all quit and spend our TV licencing fees on something worth watching instead of this garbage.........
Posted by: kwok_kad on Wed Nov 19 12:19PM | Report abuseI think these shows are pathetic
Posted by: clairemisssixty on Wed Nov 19 12:19PM | Report abuseI think it's a terrible shame that John has basically been bullied into quitting, it's disgraceful and would not be tolerated or accepted on any other show. I'm not surprised he's decided to walk away after the cruel remarks that he has had to endure of the last few weeks. At the end of the day he should never have been invited to take part in the show if that is the sort of treatment he was going to receive. It proves the point that he was only asked on there to be humiliated and it's backfired. Next time I suggest the BBC select their contestants more carefully so as not to create a situation such as this again.
Posted by: tequiladrinkingloony on Wed Nov 19 12:20PM | Report abuseI feel that John Sergeant has been put in a very difficult situation. Whilst I agree with the judges that it is a dance competition AND it is a shame that good dancers are being eliminated. It is also entertainment and the public vote. The reason that there is so much hype about this series and it is so high profile is totally down to John Sergeant, so while the public love him, the judges 'slag him off' but he is the ONE person keeping the judges in a job - So judges think on!!!! If the public don't vote then you don't have a job.
Posted by: hwilson484 on Wed Nov 19 12:20PM | Report abuseBless him!! its so sad that John has been made to feel bad for having support! people should be ashamed of themselves for making him feel this way! i for one loved watching what he was going to do every week, so did my little @#$%. Silly me for thinking that these shows were not only meant to be about good dancing but also light hearted fun! certain people should get over themselves...Why allow us all our votes and then treat who we choose to keep in so badly! i'm so disappointed and wont be watching or voting again.
Posted by: charisma2307 on Wed Nov 19 12:20PM | Report abuseNO NOT AT ALL IT IS NOT HIS FAULT IF THAT WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS THEN THAT IS IT HE SHOULD OF STAYED... SO I THINK NOW THEY SHOULD BRING CHERIE BACK NOW
Posted by: wendymarshall123 on Wed Nov 19 12:20PM | Report abuse