John pulls out

John Sergeant has decided to pull out of the competition.

Following his unexpected departure from the show, announced today, John has issued a press statement.

John said he was sorry to say he had decided to leave Strictly Come Dancing, adding; "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. I would like to thank Kristina and all those viewers who have been rooting for me through the series."

In response Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One said; "John has told us of his plans to leave Strictly Come Dancing and we are very sad to see him go. He has been an entertaining contestant and is hugely popular with the viewers. We would have liked him to stay but we respect his decision to leave. "

http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedan...n_191108.shtml

Why make another thread when there are hundreds more on the subject?

John Sergeant has pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing over fears he may win the show.

The political journalist, 64, has never been voted into the bottom two on the dance contest, despite repeatedly receiving lowest marks from the judging panel.

In a statement, Sergeant 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.

"I would like to thank Kristina and all those viewers who have been rooting for me through the series."

Arlene Phillips complained earlier this week that Sergeant needed to work harder on his training because it was unfair on his competitors if he continued to knock out superior dancers.

Bruno Tonioli said he was "appalled" at the public's decision to save Sergeant over Heather Small and Rachel Stevens two weeks ago.

"We are very sad to see him go," said BBC One controller Jay Hunt. "We would have liked him to stay but we respect his decision to leave. John and Kristina will be performing a farewell dance this Saturday on the show."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictly...-strictly.html

Famous faces connected to the show and Strictly Come Dancing pundits give their reaction to John Sergeant's decision to pull out of the celebrity ballroom competition.

BRUCE FORSYTH - CO-HOST, STRICTLY COME DANCING
It was a bit of a shock. He ruined my opening joke this week - I was going to say 'Ladies, gentlemen and children, welcome to The John Sergeant Show. Now I've got to get a different joke.


CHRISTOPHER PARKER - FINALIST, SERIES ONE
I'm gutted. I'm going along on Saturday with the sole intention of supporting him, and this is a bit of a shock to be honest.

Full Report http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7737756.stm

Wednesday show's new time: 6pm till 7pm

Claudia hosts a special hour long edition, looking at the departure of John. Plus Anton, Flavia & Karen pick their favourite group dances, and Tom & Camilla drop by.

Source BBC Online

So farewell then John Sergeant and Kristina Rihanoff, the funniest couple to grace Saturday night television since Morecambe and Wise.

Sergeant's decision today to quit Strictly Come Dancing will be greeted with dismay and despair in households up and down the country, who had been tuning in in their millions for a bloody good laugh. It is the greatest surprise resignation since Margaret Thatcher's, which of course Sergeant reported before he turned to ballroom.

His dancing was so bad, it was funny - and that had put him in danger of actually winning the competition. Week after week, the voting public had kept him in the contest against the better wisdom of Strictly's four judges.

Full Report http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...hts/article.do

John marches off Strictly

JOHN Sergeant has sensationally pulled out Strictly Come Dancing, The Sun can reveal.
The portly political journalist, 64, is leaving the BBC1 ballroom hit after weeks of torment from the show judges.

They have claimed that he is not fit to stay in the show - as talented hopefuls get the boot.

John said: "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."

Feisty judge Arlene Phillips was the latest judge to publicly lambast lumbering John.

She went on BBC breakfast on Monday to launch her most recent and ferocious attack, accusing John of "fooling around" with Kristina instead of rehearsing steps.

Top bookmakers Ladbrokes has pledged to refund all money placed on John to win the show.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "To say we're relieved is an understatement as he was shaping up to be our worst ever result in the show.

Full Story http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle1948027.ece

John Sergeant pulls out of Strictly Come Dancing

John Sergeant has pulled out of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing after weeks of controversy.

In a statement he said: “I am sorry to say I have decided to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

“Even for me that would be a joke too far.”

He will still dance on Saturday's show as a final farewell to fans.

Thanks to huge public backing, the former political journalist - partnered by with Russian dancer Kristina Rihanoff - has survived the eviction process each week despite a mauling from the judges over his lack of dancing skills.

Just yesterday, this week’s loser Cheri Lunghi blasted the 64-year-old and said the show was turning into a soap opera because of his survival.

A recent poll found four in 10 viewers were voting for John to rile the judges - a view back by West End star John Barrowman.

He told Mirror.co.uk he believed people could be backing John as "a dig" to the show.

Full Story http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/lates...5875-20907689/

'I couldn't face another bruising battle with the judges,' says John Sergeant as he quits Strictly Come Dancing

He said at a press conference today: 'I might have won the competition - it's a terrifying thought. It would have been a very bittersweet victory with lots of brilliant dancers pushed aside.

'The reasons for leaving; well it is like when do you leave a party? You leave before the fighting starts and I think that is what has happened on this occasion.

'We had fun dancing and dancing is a wonderfully enjoyable thing, but if the joke wears thin, if people begin to take things very seriously and if people are getting so wound up that is very difficult to carry on the joke, then it is time to go.'

He revealed he had planned a routine to Sophie Ellis Bextor's Murder On The Dance Floor.

Judge Arlene Phillips, who has been a fierce critic of Sergeant's performances, said: '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.'

Full Story http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...e-Dancing.html

JOHN SERGEANT PULLS OUT OF STRICTLY

HOPELESS hoofer John Sergeant has caved into pressure and pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing.

The 64-year-old, who has been savaged by the show's acid-tongued judges week after week, has decided to bow out of the BBC1 show.

He joked he had planned to dance to Sophie Ellis Bextor's hit song 'Murder On The Dancefloor' this week but had chosen to quit to avoid a "bloody battle" instead.

He added: “Anyone thinking that I can be leant on or bullied does not know me very well. I decide to choose my own battles."

The ex-political pundit, who was dubbed a "dancing pig in Cuban heels" by judge Arlene Phillips, has repeatedly been saved from the chop by the public.

Full Story http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view...t-of-Strictly/

BBC faces backlash over John Sergeant's shock exit from Strictly as MPs call for viewers' boycott

The BBC faced a backlash from viewers this evening after being accused of forcing John Sergeant to quit Strictly Come Dancing.

In a major new embarrassment, the corporation's switchboard was flooded with complaints over Sergeant's departure.

One MP warned it would be a 'complete disgrace' if the former political correspondent had been 'elbowed out' by BBC bosses because his ungainly style had threatened to turn the show into a joke.

There were even calls for viewers to boycott the programme while Business Secretary Lord Mandelson issued a statement urging him not to quit, saying: 'John Sergeant should not bow out. He has become the people's John Travolta.'

At a hastily arranged press conference at BBC Television Centre, Sergeant was grilled by Newsnight heavyweight Jeremy Paxman over the reasons for his departure.

Sergeant, 64, sitting alongside his dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff, BBC1 controller Jay Hunt and entertainments commissioner Elaine Bedell, defended his decision.

Seemingly bemused by the lines of reporters gathered, he said: 'It is quite absurd that I should be in this position having a news conference.

Full Story http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...s-boycott.html

Thanks greytop for doing this.

The 64-year-old showed some of his famous charm when he explained that he and partner Kristina Rihanoff had been planning this week's dance to the tune of Murder On The Dance Floor.

He called a surprise news conference at BBCTV Centre to deliver the news that will devastate his fans.

Earlier, presenter Bruce Forsyth said Sergeant's departure had come as a shock and had also "ruined" his opening joke for the week.

He explained: "It was a bit of a shock it really was. I was going to say: 'Ladies, gentlemen and children welcome to the John Sergeant show.'"

Asked if he thought Sergeant was right to go, Forsyth said: "Well, I feel very sorry for John, because he's put in the most awkward position.

"He looks at all the other dancers and he knows they're better dancers than him and he must have felt, over the last few weeks, he must have been very guilty in a way.

Sky News entertainment correspondent Matt Smith said Sergeant's news conference was "one of the most surreal I have been to".

"Even Jeremy Paxman was in there begging John Sergeant to stay on the show," he said.

Full Story http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sho...ly_Come_Dancin

Len looks strictly happy

Claudia Winkleman is back with exclusive backstage gossip and behind-the-scenes action from the world of Strictly Come Dancing, including news of BBC journalist John Sargeant's withdrawal from the competition. She takes an peek into the training rooms to find out how the couples are shaping up for the weekend.

Source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00fr72d

Former ITV political editor John Sergeant has said he decided to quit Strictly Come Dancing because it was a "frightening thought" that he might actually win the reality show.

BBC spokesman confirmed that one celebrity would leave the show as normal at the end of Sunday's results programme, meaning the show will have one less couple in the final on December 20.

During the press conference, BBC1 controller Jay Hunt also said that anyone who had previously voted for Sergeant and wanted their money back would be reimbursed.

Anyone thinking that I can be leant on or bullied does not know me very well. I decide to choose my own battles. What I did not want was a bloody battle," he said.

"Some people would think this is the horrible John Sergeant ruining a marvellous dance contest. The idea that we would do this week after week to annoy people was not what we wanted to do," Sergeant added.

He joked and said: "I do have a contract with a cruise liner to take me through the Panama Canal in two weeks' time but that had nothing to do with it."

Sergeant also addressed criticism from Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips that instead of rehearsing he just "sits and reads the Guardian".

Full Story http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008...ing-realitytv1

John Sergeant should not bow out," said Mandelson, who went on to echo his famous victory speech in his Hartlepool constituency in the 2005 general election.

"He has become the people's John Travolta and he should be a fighter, not a quitter," the former MP, now business secretary in Gordon Brown's Labour government.

According to entertainment PR Mark Borkowski, Sergeant's exit marks a tipping point for TV talent shows.

"This is going to be very interesting. You can't have one of your key PR messages for your reality show saying that you the public have the power and then you turn around and say you don't like what the audiences actually say," Borkowski said.

"There's clearly a growing internet campaign to suggest that the public are usurping what the programme makers want, and are truly having audience power," he added.

"But what these judges don't understand is that if you attack, attack, attack you are going to drive a sympathy vote and this is what happened. The programme wants the traction of national media coverage but once they get it, they are not respecting it, which is a mistake."

Full Story http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2...tlycomedancing

Your chance to vote in Guardian Poll
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/poll...omedancing-bbc

Len Goodman has said that he would not have left Strictly Come Dancing if he had been in John Sergeant's position.

Sergeant today announced that he is quitting the show over fears that he could win as a result of his popularity rather than ability.

However, Strictly judge Goodman said he disagreed with the decision, telling the BBC: "I've only just heard. I think it's sad, but there was a chance he could've won the competition.

"If it had been me, I'd have stayed in."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictly...g-to-quit.html

Strictly Come Dancing host Bruce Forsyth has described John Sergeant's decision to leave the show as a "shock".

The veteran political analyst quit the contest earlier today amid fears that he could win because of his popularity with viewers.

Forsyth said he sympathised with Sergeant's plight, telling the BBC: "I feel sorry for John because he was put in the most awkward position. He looked at all the other dancers and knew they were better than him. Over the last few weeks he must have felt guilty in a way."

Forsyth added that he feels sorry for the other dancers on the programme, as well as the judges, who have given Sergeant poor marks throughout the series.

"It's all ended up a bit sad in a way. John is such a lovely guy and the whole team adore him. But then I felt sorry for poor Cherie [Lunghi] who worked so hard," he said.

"[Viewers] don't realise how hard the contestants work learning the dances for up to seven hours a day."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictly...t-a-shock.html

Strictly's John Sergeant should rejoin the show immediately - that's according to Hollywood superstar Steve Guttenberg, a contestant earlier this year on the US version of the show, Dancing With The Stars.

Talking exclusively to Mirror.co.uk, Steve said that he was a huge fan of the political broadcaster on the show, and said: "John, do NOT quit. John Sergeant, you are smart and you are a talented dancer. Please stay on the show for me!"

Former Coronation Street star Bradley Walsh said: "I wish him well but I don't think he should have gone. Some of the judges comments by the judges were very unfair too."

Former Dancing On Ice star Bonnie Langford agreed. She told us: "It's about entertainment and John's been really entertaining." However, she added: "But ultimately, it is a dance competition."

But previous Strictly contestant and former EastEnders and The Bill star Louise Lytton said the dancing should have nothing to do with it and John should rejoin the show.

Full Story http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/2008/...5875-20908386/

John speaking this afternoon
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YI1zMCj3Aao

John Sergeant has revealed that he decided to quit Strictly Come Dancing because the competition was becoming less fun.

The political expert explained that he has to choose the right battles to fight and there was a "real danger" he and dance partner Kristina Rihanoff could win the contest.

"It's not a matter of having the guts to go on," he told Claudia Winkleman on spinoff It Takes Two.

"I don't want to stop people who are very, very serious about dancing from having their moment in the sun. Unlike the other people on the show, it's not my burning desire to win Strictly Come Dancing."

Rihanoff added: "I support his decision. I wish I could change it, but it's his personal decision."

The pair will return to the programme on Saturday for a farewell Waltz.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictly...to-be-fun.html

In a press conference this afternoon, John joked that he had planned a routine to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder On The Dance Floor but decided to "leave before the fighting starts."

Strictly judge Arlene Phillips told the BBC: "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."

Arlene, who had admitted she would feel "desolate" if John won the show, said she didn't feel responsible for his departure.

She said: "Not really. If you look back, we've actually been quite nice on this programme."

The judge added that John had provided Strictly with many "funny, funny moments."

John told fans today: "I am sorry to say I have decided to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

Photos http://www.ok-magazine.co.uk/celebne...from-Strictly/

John Sergeant is a phenomenon. With every graceless pirouette and every ungainly twist and twirl, he becomes more popular. His cha-cha-cha was a "ha-ha-ha", moaned one of the judges.

He has, wailed the rest of the panel, made a complete and utter laughing stock of Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC1 show that is presented by Bruce Forsyth, dresses celebrities in sequins and asks them to perform complex dance routines probably best left to professionals. Still the Sergeant marches on, dancing to his own beat, completely without rhythm.

But while his inelegant manoeuvrings around the BBC studio certainly haven't furthered the nation's appreciation of ballroom dancing, he has done an even more valuable service ... for journalists

Full Story http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...-john-sergeant