http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2...ant_votes.html

The BBC needs to consider why so many people were voting for John Sargeant, and I don't think it was mainly to hack off the judges. After Darren Gough won the show started to change and for me lost some of its appeal. It's a DANCE SPORT not a SPORT.

That's an interesting development. It suggests that the BBC is taking some responsibility for his "withdrawal" and may even fear a public backlash.

The BBC are now living in constant fear of something or other.

Do they mean from last weeks show or the entire run? I can understand last weeks show but not the whole run.

Its almost like they're saying they did something wrong putting him in there. Does this mean from next year everyone taking part will be around the same age and fitness level? I hope not, how very boring and non-inclusive.

Its a joke isn't?

Well wouldn't you be annoyed if you'd spent moey to vote for someone to keep them in and then in a way your vote is discounted.

Not that any of it matters, all the manipulation in the World, will not make the voting public vote for who the judges want to win.

I wonder if they will ever release the percentage he had?

Although it seems divided on this forum I reckon he had about 50% of the vote......so if you win this year? Mmmmmmmm

Whoever wins will have a hollow victory in knowing they may be the 'best' dancer but they certainly weren't the most popular contestant. Why do I not care?

are the bbc forgetting the whole reason behind strictly?? to raise money for children in need. if the bbc refund then they are taking the money back from them surely.

...and suerly this will effect their furture media aspirations?

...which they all have!

Its not for Children in Need any more.

I have read a couple of times today that no money this year is going to charity.

None of the money is going to CIN this year. That's why it costs 15p rather than 25p from a BT land line.

Good grief, how many more times: SCD does not raise money for Children in Need!

I agree. Certainly in my eyes, anyone who has spoken out against John is not tainted - a sad loser!

thye don't do it for CIN anymore after the calls scandal last year - that's why the phones only open after the last dance - remember last time they opened straight after the couple voted out were announced?

This way the BBC remains transparent....

Anyway, I don't think the BBC should be making refunds, it should be John Sergeant as he's stepping down to fulfil public speaking commitments on a cruise ship - he obviously didn't think he'd be lasting that long and made the booking, now he's got to this point in the proceeding and the cruise leaves in two weeks - methinks he chose the lesser of two evils.

You do realise that a large majority of the voting for John was done by students trying the buck the trend?

I shan't be asking for my money back.

John was worth every penny I spent supporting him

I would imagine that there will be a sum of money put aside by the BBC that people can claim on if they can prove they made the call but the majority of it will be donated to a charity, probably CIN.

Works for me. If this story is true the BBC must be really panicking...

I think they would say they were being proactive rather than their usual reactive.

So they should. They built him up and in the best tradition of the media allowed for him to be pulled down. Shame on the powers to be was he pushed or did he decide to go? I feel very sorry for him and Kristina.
I hope the judges feel really bad on Saturday when he does his final dance.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7737447.stm

Good, so they should, or offer to donate the funds to Children in Need.