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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Sergeant to pull out of Strictly | Sergeant to pull out of Strictly |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Former political journalist John Sergeant has decided to pull out of the BBC One show Strictly Come Dancing. | Former political journalist John Sergeant has decided to pull out of the BBC One show Strictly Come Dancing. |
| The 64-year-old has received strong support from the public since the show started, but the judges have been critical of his dancing. | The 64-year-old has received strong support from the public since the show started, but the judges have been critical of his dancing. |
| In a statement, he 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." | In a statement, he 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." |
| It has been announced he will return on Saturday's show for a "farewell dance". | It has been announced he will return on Saturday's show for a "farewell dance". |
| Strictly judge Arlene Phillips 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. | Strictly judge Arlene Phillips 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. |
| It was always my intention to have fun on the show and I was hoping to stay in as long as possible John Sergeant Was he right to quit? (we are currently experiencing technical difficulties) When asked if she felt responsible for his departure, she said: "Not really. If you look back, we've actually been quite nice on this programme." | |
| Phillips pointed out it was not the first time a weak dancer had been backed by the public over the professionals. | Phillips pointed out it was not the first time a weak dancer had been backed by the public over the professionals. |
| In the last series, GMTV presenter Kate Garraway defied the judges, while ex-EastEnders actor Christopher Parker made it to the final in spite of negative feedback. | In the last series, GMTV presenter Kate Garraway defied the judges, while ex-EastEnders actor Christopher Parker made it to the final in spite of negative feedback. |
| And she admitted Sergeant had provided many "funny, funny moments". | And she admitted Sergeant had provided many "funny, funny moments". |
| She added: "Last week's performance was an improved performance. There wasn't a judge who didn't say that." | She added: "Last week's performance was an improved performance. There wasn't a judge who didn't say that." |
| In his statement, Sergeant, who was partnered with Russian dancer Kristina Rihanoff said: "I am sorry to say I have decided to leave Strictly Come Dancing. | In his statement, Sergeant, who was partnered with Russian dancer Kristina Rihanoff 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." | "It was always my intention to have fun on the show and I was hoping to stay in as long as possible." |
| 'Outstanding' | 'Outstanding' |
| The former journalist said he would like to "thank Kristina and all those viewers who have been rooting for me through the series". | The former journalist said he would like to "thank Kristina and all those viewers who have been rooting for me through the series". |
| BBC One controller Jay Hunt added: "We are very sad to see him go." | BBC One controller Jay Hunt added: "We are very sad to see him go." |
| John Sergeant consistently got the lowest score from the show's judgesTwo weeks ago, judges turned on Sergeant, giving his cha-cha-cha, a mere 12 points out of the possible 40. | John Sergeant consistently got the lowest score from the show's judgesTwo weeks ago, judges turned on Sergeant, giving his cha-cha-cha, a mere 12 points out of the possible 40. |
| Arlene Phillips said the broadcaster was "outstanding at dancing really badly". | Arlene Phillips said the broadcaster was "outstanding at dancing really badly". |
| Craig Revel Horwood gave Sergeant the lowest possible score - one point - and said his dancing was a "disaster". | Craig Revel Horwood gave Sergeant the lowest possible score - one point - and said his dancing was a "disaster". |
| However, last week the professionals all agreed the broadcaster's timing had improved after he danced the American Smooth. | |
| Bruno Tonioli said the performance was "surprisingly appealing" and Phillips said he was "quite endearing". | Bruno Tonioli said the performance was "surprisingly appealing" and Phillips said he was "quite endearing". |
| Chief judge Len Goodman decreed that it was his "best performance" so far. | Chief judge Len Goodman decreed that it was his "best performance" so far. |
| Altogether Sergeant scored 25 - his personal best after the first nine weeks of the series. | Altogether Sergeant scored 25 - his personal best after the first nine weeks of the series. |