John Sergeant’s emergence in his sixties as one of Britain’s favour-ite funny men, capped by his exploits on Strictly Come Dancing, is generally seen as a remarkable turn of fortune, for most television viewers were long familiar with him as the solemn face of political reporting, first on BBC and then on ITN. But for those who’ve known John longer, the real surprise is that this has only happened now.

John was already regarded as one of the funniest men in Oxford when we met at Magdalen college in 1964

On Strictly Come Dancing he has again been a free spirit, having fun and making everyone laugh; but another clutch of television “toilers” has insisted on taking the show seriously. At least his comic genius has been set free and we won’t have to wait another 40 years to enjoy this delightful man as he really is.

Full Story http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5212415.ece

On Saturday Night John took to the floor for his last dance on Strictly.

Now the media reporting of Strictly appears to be returning to normal I will not update this thread after Tuesday night at 23.59.

Any news of John will be posted in my normal thread at http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...1#post29011659

John may have took his last bows but he will not be forgot

Strictly Come Dancing partner is devastated by his decision to leave the show

Kristina Rihanoff is outraged that her partner John Sergeant quit Strictly Come Dancing.

The political journalist, 64, pulled out of the BBC show last week after mounting criticism of his performances from the judges.

It's thought John felt pressured to step down after he feared the judges' comments would turn the public vote unfairly in his favour.

‘John was like a lamb led to the slaughter,’ Kristina says.

‘They just let him be savaged. In the end we felt like we were caught in a war zone between the judges and the public.

‘Some judges’ remarks crossed the line of taste and respect. And they became harder for him to take. Yet it was because the judges were so mean that the public kept us in.’

Kristina, 31, says she was heartbroken when he broke the news to her.

‘I pleaded with him to reconsider,’ she tells the News Of The World.

‘But he said: “I’ve made up my mind. The best part was dancing with you and the others. But I feel like for some it’s a much more serious game.

'"They really want to make it to the final, but I am doing it for the entertainment, for myself.”’

http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celebri...o-slaughter/1/

The only report in The People last week was on Len - called him Mr. Grumpy, so it could have been him commenting - classy

John Sergeant was "savaged" by the judges on Strictly Come Dancing, dance partner Kristina Rihanoff has said.

The political journalist quit the show last week amid fears that his popularity with the public could see him win the competition despite receiving poor marks from the panel.

"Some judges' remarks crossed the line of taste and respect and they became harder for him to take. Yet it was because the judges were so mean that the public kept us in," Rihanoff told the News Of The World.

"John was like a lamb led to the slaughter. They just let him be savaged. In the end we felt like we were caught in a war zone between the judges and the public."

Rihanoff and Sergeant performed a farewell Waltz on Saturday's show, after which they received a standing ovation from the studio audience.

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

Lisa Snowdon has laughed off rumours of a rivalry between the Strictly Come Dancing contestants and John Sergeant, insisting she was 'sad' when the broadcaster quit last week.
The former model, 37, attempted to convince the former news reporter to stay on the talent show when he announced his decision to step down last week.

Snowdon, who managed to survive a dance-off against Jodie Kidd on Sunday, denied reports the other contestants were angry with Sergeant's dismal dancing trumping more talented dancers 'I don’t think it’s fair to say that he didn’t put the work in - he was just not as able to do some of the stuff us others can.

'I feel quite sad about him leaving.'

Snowdon said she has lost weight since she first started training for Strictly three months ago, even though she isn't sure of her exact weight.

She said: 'I don't really weigh myself - I don't think it's healthy. My best part is my bottom - it's pert.'

Full Story http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...ctly-exit.html

Two of the Strictly Come Dancing judges who helped force out John Sergeant may be axed if viewing figures plummet.

The Mail has learned the jobs of both Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood hang in the balance.

Sergeant attracted 11.7million viewers to his final show at the weekend after announcing his departure BBC executives fear viewers will now turn away in droves.

They have also watched with interest the success of ITV's replacement of X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole.

A BBC source said: 'The BBC's head honchos were furious that John Sergeant fell on his sword. He was the most enormous ratings winner and executives think the judges overstepped the mark.

'No action could be taken against the judges mid-series - it would be impossible to find replacements for a start. However, when the ratings figures start to come in, they will be carefully scrutinised.

'It is clear some of the judges have started to think the stars of the show are themselves, which is an unfortunate development.

Full Story http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...ants-exit.html

Strictly come dancing star Brendan Cole has slammed John Sergeant's 'selfish' decision to quit the show.

The New Zealand-born dancer, who is partnering television presenter Lisa Snowdon in this year's contest, said the former political correspondent had let down viewers and fans with his decision to leave.

He ranted that Sergeant's partner, pretty Kristina Rihanoff, had spent weeks training the portly 64-year-old, only to be let down.

'I don't understand why someone would agree to take part in the show, spend all that time training and then leave,' he said.

'It's Kristina that I'm upset for. She's come over here to do the show, given up her time only for John to decide to leave. 'But that's just my humble opinion.

'I just believe he was very selfish to do it. I don't know how he could work in a situation like that for 13 or 14 weeks and then do that to her.

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

On Saturday Night John took to the floor for his last dance on Strictly.

Now the media reporting of Strictly appears to be returning to normal I will not update this thread after Tuesday night at 23.59.

Any news of John will be posted in my normal thread at http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...1#post29024262

John may have took his last bows but he will not be forgot

Who could have guessed from his understated performances on primetime Saturday night TV that John Sergeant's old school is very serious about dance?

Millfield (fees for boarders £26,100 a year) can boast four dance teachers, and its prospectus happily states: "We are lucky to have two well-equipped dance studios."

This may explain why the Somerset independent school has not one, but three alumni strutting on Strictly Come Dancing this year. As well as the "dancing pig", the GMTV presenter and former British No 1 tennis player Andrew Castle and Olympic swimmer Mark Foster are both Old Millfieldians (OM).

Castle and Foster were at the school because of their outstanding athletic promise; Millfield is renowned for the scope and excellence of its sporting facilities.

Is it not, then, ironic that the one who lasted longest - indeed bowed out undefeated from the contest because he feared he might win it - is the one who looks as if he took least advantage of these facilities?

Full Report http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/...y-come-dancing

Week 1 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc9auw7_xj4
Week 3 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bVaNZSeFXCM
Week 5 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UB7sSODL7R4
Week 6 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_n_j4S6fNBs
Week 7 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sqGn0UikTOM
Week 8 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XbAAd9v-CcA
Week 9 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kC3gtHvYG-g
Week 10 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz8EpgEuzu8


Clips from Maltipom's You Tube account - Many Thanks for your hard work.

The BBC has denied reports that it is considering axing two Strictly Come Dancing judges if viewing figures plummet in the wake of John Sergeant's departure.

The Daily Mail claimed that Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood are facing the sack after being accused of forcing Sergeant to quit the show.

A BBC spokesperson said: "The story about the Strictly Come Dancing judges in today's Daily Mail is a load of rubbish. The judges' role in the show is to critique the contestants' dancing and that is exactly what they have done in this series and every series before it."

Thousands of viewers complained to the corporation after he decided to leave following a barrage of criticism from the judges.

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

Thank you for reading and posting in this thread which followed the exit of John from Strictly.

There has been loads written in the last week but as the media interest in Strictly returns to normal I will not update this thread anymore but all further news of John will be posted in my normal thread http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...1#post29037525

John may have left Strictly but I'm sure will not be forgotten in a hurry.

We leave you will John's dances.

Week 1 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc9auw7_xj4
Week 3 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bVaNZSeFXCM
Week 5 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UB7sSODL7R4
Week 6 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_n_j4S6fNBs
Week 7 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sqGn0UikTOM
Week 8 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XbAAd9v-CcA
Week 9 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kC3gtHvYG-g
Week 10 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz8EpgEuzu8

Goodbye!