This appears in other threads but there are still so many "bullying" and "hounded out" posts going up that it deserves its own thread.

John was already booked up for a speaking tour which begins in two weeks.

He probably never expected to be in the show this long but now had realistic chance of not being able to honour his speaking contract. Pulling out of SCD is the only way he could carry out these prior commitments.

Perfectly understandable on John's part but please everyone stop saying he was forced / bullied from the show!

I saw this on another thread. Can I ask:

1. Where did this information originate from?
2. Why then hasn't JS said this is his real reason for leaving?

I saw this on another thread. Can I ask:

1. Where did this information originate from?
2. Why then hasn't JS said this is his real reason for leaving?
Last edited by catslovelycats : 19-11-2008 at 16:41

So he was in breach of contract then...as he is supposed to be in to win and had the chance of doing that. But he has signed up for something else. So infact taking money from the public with no chance of winning...hmmmm.......sure thats not right

Was my thread originally...

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=935636

Nice bit of info release wink wink by the beeb.....why shouldn't he have booked a cruise he expected to be out in week one.....if you want more PR ITT at 6pm.

No!

NO!!!

Really?

But... but... but what about all the Children In Need? Does no-one think of the kiddies any more?

(Sorry, it's been a long day)

Isn't he doing the tour already? I read on the daily mail article with kristina that they had trained in Devon for this reason.

The thick plottens.

Not since SCD stopped being for charity HAve you not seen the threads about this?

thanks quizmike
I shall take a peek

He has NOT quit because of having speaking commitments.

He has had speaking commitments throughout the series so far, he does them as well as doing the show! Just like Lisa does her day job.

A lot of competitors do other things alongside the rehearsals.

I think it's the fact that he's going to be on a ship in the Panama canal in two weeks that is interesting people.

His agent may have booked it with a caveat that in the unlikely event that he was still in the dancing competition when it started he would be unable to do it and they would have someone else ready to take his place - it is quite possible.

in fact this has already happened this series when Jessie Wallace had signed up for the Vagina Monologues with the proviso that if she was still involved in strictly she would then not do the play

It's not just possible, it is most likely. They all (at least those who have work) have other things lined up. You don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Was he going to swim back every day for training?

Irony is wasted on some people!

Sorry.

He's not taken out an insurance policy to disappear has he?

No Nancy...it's a ship and not a canoe

Damnit, I could have milked that for ages, you went and spoiled it.

I had a whole script worked out and everything. I was going to pretend amazement, say "But how was I supposed to know", then I was going to accuse the Beeb of making money, then....

It was going to be a true classic, and you've ruined it for me. In fact, this is The Day The Forum Died.

You bully.

**

I do know that.

Otherwise he'd have a very small audience.

This made me laugh so much!! Thanks QM.

In response to the question of why John hasn't mentioned this is the reason he is leaving I would think that he is using the positive PR to the best he can- why does he need to mention this when he can continue to let the judges be cast as the bad guys- it is after all pantomime season

Esther Rantzen also had a speaking engagement on a cruise ship when she was in SCD. If I remember rightly, Anton went with her and they trained while on board the ship and came back just for filming on the Saturday. Theoretically, John could have done the same.