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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Mandelson 'Strictly disappointed' | Mandelson 'Strictly disappointed' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Lord Mandelson has joked that he was "disappointed" at not being asked to join Strictly Come Dancing. | Lord Mandelson has joked that he was "disappointed" at not being asked to join Strictly Come Dancing. |
| Earlier in the week, the business secretary hinted he would like to fill John Sergeant's shoes, claiming to have watched "with a degree of envy". | Earlier in the week, the business secretary hinted he would like to fill John Sergeant's shoes, claiming to have watched "with a degree of envy". |
| Sergeant quit the show earlier this week, saying he feared he would win. | Sergeant quit the show earlier this week, saying he feared he would win. |
| The former political journalist, who received strong support from the public, danced his final waltz on Saturday night. | The former political journalist, who received strong support from the public, danced his final waltz on Saturday night. |
| But he denied he had been pushed from the BBC One show after constant criticism of his dancing style by the judges, saying the experience had been "strictly fantastic". | But he denied he had been pushed from the BBC One show after constant criticism of his dancing style by the judges, saying the experience had been "strictly fantastic". |
| 'Surprised' | 'Surprised' |
| Lord Mandelson - who according to former aides has displayed nifty footwork on the dance floor at Labour Party events - was tackled about his ambitions on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show. | Lord Mandelson - who according to former aides has displayed nifty footwork on the dance floor at Labour Party events - was tackled about his ambitions on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show. |
| He said: "Betting companies are offering very good odds on my appearance in the next series. | He said: "Betting companies are offering very good odds on my appearance in the next series. |
| Lord Mandelson says he will get over his 'disappointment' | |
| "I just have to say I'm yet to have a phone call from anyone on this programme." | "I just have to say I'm yet to have a phone call from anyone on this programme." |
| When Andrew Marr asked how he felt about that, he joked: "Surprised, disappointed, but I will get over it." | When Andrew Marr asked how he felt about that, he joked: "Surprised, disappointed, but I will get over it." |
| Not to be outdone by the minister, Conservative leader David Cameron suggested burly Conservative MP Eric Pickles as a suitable rival. | Not to be outdone by the minister, Conservative leader David Cameron suggested burly Conservative MP Eric Pickles as a suitable rival. |
| "I think an Eric Pickles/Peter Mandelson dance off has got some merit," he told the show. | "I think an Eric Pickles/Peter Mandelson dance off has got some merit," he told the show. |
| "I'm prepared to allow Pickles to go forward - the bluff Yorkshireman - if the prime minister will allow Peter to step into the limelight." | "I'm prepared to allow Pickles to go forward - the bluff Yorkshireman - if the prime minister will allow Peter to step into the limelight." |
| Complaints | Complaints |
| Unable to resist a dig at the Tory leader, Lord Mandelson quipped: "One thing we know about David though is, given what he's been saying this morning, he will be dancing to his own tune and I think he'll definitely find difficulty in getting a partner". | Unable to resist a dig at the Tory leader, Lord Mandelson quipped: "One thing we know about David though is, given what he's been saying this morning, he will be dancing to his own tune and I think he'll definitely find difficulty in getting a partner". |
| Lib Dem deputy leader Vince Cable, a keen amateur ballroom dancer who has also expressed an interest in appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, appeared on the Marr show too, but did not stay around long enough to lay down a challenge to Lord Mandelson. | Lib Dem deputy leader Vince Cable, a keen amateur ballroom dancer who has also expressed an interest in appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, appeared on the Marr show too, but did not stay around long enough to lay down a challenge to Lord Mandelson. |
| Eric Pickles: The Tory choice for a Strictly contender? | |
| The BBC has received more than 2,000 complaints about Mr Sergeant's departure since he announced he was quitting the show. | The BBC has received more than 2,000 complaints about Mr Sergeant's departure since he announced he was quitting the show. |
| Despite coming bottom of the score-board three weeks in a row, the voting public had chosen to keep him the competition. | Despite coming bottom of the score-board three weeks in a row, the voting public had chosen to keep him the competition. |
| On Saturday night, the 64-year-old performed a farewell waltz to the music Come Away With Me with his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff. | On Saturday night, the 64-year-old performed a farewell waltz to the music Come Away With Me with his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff. |
| The BBC is offering to reimburse anyone who voted for Mr Sergeant on 15 November. | The BBC is offering to reimburse anyone who voted for Mr Sergeant on 15 November. |
| Bookmaker William Hill has also agreed to repay customers who placed bets on Mr Sergeant. | Bookmaker William Hill has also agreed to repay customers who placed bets on Mr Sergeant. |