I know his pulling out of the competition goes against the grain, and he should be allowed to finish the series like all the other contestants, but the whole saga was getting really out of hand, and it stopped being about John and being against the judges!

I was one of the people that didn't like the fact that he was being saved over more competant dancers, so the fact that he decided to pull out seems very gracious to me.
I am a fan of John, but not to the extent that better dancers should go instead of him.

I applaude John for being a true gentleman.

This show is NOT supposed to be a serious dancing competition. It isn't supposed to be Come Dancing or a televised National Dance competition.
The idea was to raise money via our votes for charity.
John Sargeant ticked many of the boxes of that and more than some of the other celebrities who have danced well and improved better than he has. He entertained me and I voted for him but I also voted for the other couples.
The judges are pathetic and conceited beyond belief.
Why don' they find a real dancing competition to judge?
Huge BBC wages I suppose.
I will miss John. I hope that the experience brings him fame and more TV work because he has taken constant critisism with a great sense of humour unlike some on that show.

Amen!

Echo your post absolutely.

I was the same as you.........and the bit in bold above is exactly spot on.

He has done the right thing and is as you say, a true gent.

I think he should be given a little Glitterball at the end of his farewell dance on Saturday (if this is indeed what he does, as has been reported) - just for reminding us all of the spirit of Strictly, and reminding us all at times that things are supposed to be fun as well as being a dancing competition.

Thank you, and I like the idea of giving him a glitterball. That would be really sweet.

And of course the cynic in me beleives its not a bad PR move on his part either!!

John should've stayed in because I don't believe there's ever been a criticism of his work effort, has there? It's a family show, so what's the message here? Try, but if you're a bit rubbish, give up? Nice motto to promote on prime-time tv.

Also, who are the BBC going to invite next year? Hhmm?

All credit to John.

Goes with dignity unlike Cherie.

Er, sure, initially.

This year, the money from the phone votes no longer goes towards Children in Need, according to phone-in guidelines announced earlier this year. I believe the price has dropped accordingly.

I thought John's resignation was dignified. To me, it looked as though he was no longer enjoying the show.

Cherie did go with dignity (and too soon for my liking) IMO this whole saga has been blown completley out of proportion.

Sad to see John go but I respect his decision And at least we get to see him once more!

Well done John - go with dignity. I loved watching him, but he was never going to win so went now rather than let people manipulate the votes and possibly lose a good dancer (Personally I thought Cherie deserved to go this week - and totally agree with Lionel Blair about her dress being inappropriate for someone of her - and my - age)

By choosing to go now, John can stop the silly voting and let the REAL contest start. Kate Garraway was in exactly the same position last year, but seemed to lack the class/brains to know when to go

I'm pleased that John has resigned at the right time before he did his dance partner or himself a serious injury.

I'm not one to exaggerate, but this marks the end of democracy, and the end of Strictly Come Dancing (in it's current format as a light-entertainment show).

I'm so fed up reading the hysterics on the other threads I was just looking for one to wish John a heartfelt bon voyage so here goes... John, so sorry to see you go especially in this way. I thought you were absolutely charming and you were a joy to watch and please know that you were admired and enjoyed by so many people. I genuinely don't think you were the cause of 'better' people leaving because I thought everyone who has left so far should certainly have gone (you are a better dancer than Gary Rhodes, Mark Foster and Andrew Castle and in the personality stakes you left Cherie miles behind anyway).

If I continue I will just end up saying nasty things so I'll leave it there, thanks,

Susan

P.S. I'm in Ireland so can't vote for anyone anyway.

Well, said, I agree entirely.

Im sorry John has been forced off rather than voted off.......makes a farce of the show.

After watching It Takes Two, I stand by what I originally wrote.
It is a shame, but I think the public would have continued voting for him into the final.

What utter shite

deleted cos I can't be arsed

My God, you're right! I've just looked out of the window - the tanks are rolling up the street and Arlene Phillips has declared herself dictator!

It's lack of perspective from some of the people involved in the show and some of the public that has brought about this daft situation. Happily John has proved it's something he still possesses.

Considering some of the things that have been in the news in the last seven days I'm amazed that people can get so worked up about an entertainment show.