Now I have been commenting on how its a free country and how people can vote for who they like and a bit pro John and down on James.

BUT after last nights ITT I have changed my mind. The way John couldnt even look at Kristina when she was crying "o she is ok" disgusted me. What a selfish old man.

I feel he didnt want to do the more difficult dances and thats alot of it.

I have got to give a hands up to James for having the balls to speak out what all the other pros are probably thinking.

And John peed me right of saying he didnt want to be in the dance of, why every bloody else has to do it.

James only had such a strong view because John left a couple a days after he and Cherie were voted out, had John gone the week before then possibly James would still be there.

James just has a serious case of sour grapes

"BUT after last nights ITT I have changed my mind. The way John couldnt even look at Kristina when she was crying "o she is ok" disgusted me. What a selfish old man."

They had talked it all through beforehand, no doubt she cried a lot then and didn't want to completely break down on television. I think he was calming the situation. Come on, whatever you think of his decision, John is a man of stature and integrity and not unkind!

People are making an awful lot of snap judgements about what is a fairly complicated issue...

While I absolutely don't agree with John leaving the show (for whatever reason) I think he was perfectly decent on ITT.

I don't think he should have had to leave the show - this is worse than the Ross / Brand thing.

By his own admission, John hasn't had to do anything. This is something he has chosen to do. No one has called for his resignation. He was invited to take part and chose to do so, and now he chooses to leave. This is a storm in a teacup sensationalised by the media - a body that is always quick to point the finger and lay the blame on someone or other.

James is being honest, which I respect. He's, however, somewhat overly vehement about his opinions, where perhaps a more diplomatic view would have greater effect. I don't necessarily believe it's sour grapes on his part as he has on several occasions admitted that it was right that he and Cherie left this weekend.

Well James contradicted himself more than once.

Which of his comments should we believe

In what way? I haven't followed all of his interviews since his departure, so I'm not sure what you're referring to.

oh deary deary me, see my post 'Come on, pull yourself together woman for gods sake'

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http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=935902

Hmmm...he does come across a bit as contradicting himself. I wonder if that's because he doesn't articulate well...? On one hand he says that people like John is what Strictly is about and then on the other side, the voting public should vote based on the dancing. One thing came across clearly though - he thought John should not have quit!

Its fair to say that James isn't exatly overburdened with intelligence. Thick people struggle to keep their stories straight and their logic consistant.

I agree with James - John's actions yesterday were very selfish .
I'm amazed at the gullibility of the British public who are jumping to his defence . John Sergeant is not a cuddly grandad who has been bullied - he's a tough, sharp political journalist and has behaved accordingly . He now looks like the victim ; he's trashed the programme in the eyes of all those squealing that they arent going to vote/watch anymore and it looks like we're going to have another darn 2 couple final which is unfair to the contestants and the fans .

I'm sure John's after dinner speeches will be even more in demand now .

I'm not a particular fan of James but I'm disgusted at the hate that's directed at him by many here just because he spoke his mind.

Lets follow James's advice and try to think this thing through properly. Evidently James opposes John's withdrawal, this being "the most selfish thing I've ever seen anyone do so on Strictly".

The inference is that James wants John to stay in then to be voted off by 10 million viewers. But 10 million voters DID vote on Saturday but James did not like the way they voted, his remarks overshadowing Cherie's farewell in unprecedented fashion, resulting in bitter divisions in this forum and no doubt in homes nationwide. In voting for John were 10 million viewers doing the second-most selfish thing he has ever seen anyone do on Strictly?

What happens if John had stayed, or is persuaded by James's arguments to make a return on Saturday, then in the Final John's unified vote support from homes nationwide beats the votes split between two rivals (an outcome considered a serious possibility by quite a few insiders privy to confidential voting figures)?. Would such an outcome flowing from James's advice be an act of selfishness even greater than John's withdrawal yesterday?

James was at pains to point out in ITT Monday he was not a sore loser, generously conceding that he and Cherie did deserve to lose on Saturday to Lisa and Brendan. James then went on to explain he was actually making a stand for the benefit of other hardworking couples left in the competition but in danger of eviction whenever John was voted higher.

This seems a truly altruistic defence of other persons, a selfless stand on principle. Would James like to clarify once and for all, whether he felt, and feels, the same longing for justice when last year the acknowledged poor but entertaining dancer Kenny was voted into the Last Five, whereas John merely reached the Last Seven?

James, please help us think this thing through properly as you advised. From your responses on ITT we guess you do read this forum. So your answer is politely awaited.

Well certainly not after he and Cherie left the contest.

Or was it more a case of "Oh no John, stick around for another week, being cold shouldered by most of us, phoned by cranks, ridiculed by the judges and villified by the anti John faction; then if the public have any decency they'll follow my advice, won't vote for you and you'll be sent packing. Then you can make a gracious speech about the judges just doing their job, all the good friends you've made, how wonderful Kristina is (the only bit of truth) then we can spill onto the floor and tearfully kiss and hug you both. That way things will finish nice and tidily - and we can all carry on being hyprocrites."

So do strangers to the truth.

John = Gentleman
James = Nasty Little Oik

James was so incensed that everyone was talking about John that he decided to have a massive tantrum so that everyone would talk about him instead. PATHETIC.

I reckon he won't be in it next year and neither will Ola. She has no idea how to showcase her professional - too busy focusing on herself. I reckon they deserve each other to be honest.

Couldnt have put it better myself, elegant in its simplicity.

It was obvious James was absoultely furious the media furore and hype being over John rather than Cherie's exit.

And caused by James himself - appealing to the public to vote for the 'dancers'.

I think he was expecting / hoping for Gabbygate Mark 2 and when that didn't happen he launched into GobbyHate!

I lost what little respect I had for John too. He could have comforted Kristina who was so visibly distressed by the situation, but he made it all about him. When you enter Strictly you become part of a partnership- he seemed to forget that.

I don't necessarily feel he forgot that Kristina was involved in the whole issue too but perhaps felt uncomfortable giving Kristina a hug - he doesn't strike me as the touchy feely type. However, I did feel that Kristina would have appreciate some overt display of comfort from John....even if it was just a quick pat of her hand.

I just think he is pee'd off at being put out with Cheri, last year Gabby, both with dancing ability.

Shame people cant just respect Johns decision and feel they need to have a go at him.

John was never comfortable cuddling Kristina, you saw that at the end of each dance. He comes for a different generation. I wouldnt see him doing that on live TV for a PR stunt.

Have you ever thought......he is not the cuddly, feely touchy type of person.
That it wouldnt be comfortable for him?

Rubbish - best partnership on the whole show. There was an obvious and genuine affection between them all the way through.

Don't criticise him because he is not all touchy feely - everyone is different. I reckon that one of the reasons he quit was because Kristina was getting a lot of unfair attention as well.