Strictly Come Dancing, Sunday, BBC1

Posted by Liberty Jones

Rachel Stevens may have scored a perfect 40 on Saturday night's Strictly with a dazzling foxtrot – but yet again the star of the show was John Sergeant.

As a final swansong, John performed a waltz with partner Kristina Rhianoff, looking for all the world like a proud dad dancing with his daughter at her wedding. The pair got a standing ovation from everyone except the stony-faced judges, whose bums appeared to be superglued to their seats.

Afterwards, John took the opportunity to address rumours he'd been forced to leave by producers, insisting, "I certainly wasn't pushed, Brucie." And we believe him – this is, after all, the man who survived a "hand-bagging" by Margaret Thatcher when she was Prime Minister.

The veteran political journalist was also keen to pay tribute to dance partner Kristina. The glamorous Russian wept as he turned to her and said: "I've absolutely got to say something about brilliant and beautiful Kristina. With her sense of fun, smile and courage she is simply the best dancer in the world."

After thanking all the viewers who voted for him, John delivered a parting shot to Len and co, saying: "I would like to thank the judges for the extraordinary way in which they upped the public support in our favour last week." Farewell John – you've gone, but you certainly won't be forgotten in a hurry.

Anyway, back to the competition… in Sunday night's results show, Jodie Kidd and Lisa Snowdon found themselves in the bottom two after Christine Bleakley – who received the lowest score from the judges – managed to sneak through to next week. Both girls gave it their all and afterwards the judges acknowledged it was one of the most close-run dance-offs ever. But someone had to go – and, in a unanimous decision, the judges ruled it was Jodie's time.

Oh, and we can't possibly go without mentioning Vincent and Flavia's milonga. One word: awesome.

Picture: BBC

SEE ALSO:
John Sergeant: I quit >>

Comments

[Janet]

I don't understand why people are surprised. its the same every year there always seems to be a contestant who isn't as talented at dancing as the others and the judges moan and the public vote to keep them in at the expense of others and then in the last few weeks the audience then decide to vote for the dancers.If the judges did not go on as much as they do and become abusive you would then find that the audience would not keep the less talented in quite so long.

[Janet]

I don't understand why people are surprised. its the same every year there always seems to be a contestant who isn't as talented at dancing as the others and the judges moan and the public vote to keep them in at the expense of others and then in the last few weeks the audience then decide to vote for the dancers.If the judges did not go on as much as they do and become abusive you would then find that the audience would not keep the less talented in quite so long.

[Elaine]

I was pleased to see John Sergeant pull out of the competition. Yes he was entertaining and this is a dance competion not who makes you laugh the most. What I want to know is why did they have a 'dance off' this week when Sergeant had already pulled out. Surely they are a couple down a week early. In the American version if this happens, for whatever reason, they do not lose another couple if someone pulls out.

[Alan]

John Sergeant was an embarrassment. I watch the show because I like watching and studying dancing steps - as a complete amateur. He should have resigned long ago.

[Jane]

NO MONEY IS DONATED TO CHILDREN IN NEED. FACT. If you search the BBC website you will find it says "Since Jan 2008 the BBC no longer gives money raised by phone votes to charity. Money raised by Strictly Come Dancing phone votes pays for running the phone vote system. No money goes to Children in Need. Rules were changed after last year's vote scandal." So, there you have it, it you thought you were doing your bit for Childrne in Need by voting for John, you were not.

[janet]

For goodness sake get alife!! It's an entertainment show and the public voted for their "favourite" John was enjoyable and entertaining sad to see him go but i fully understand where he was coming from, John you will never be able to please everyone GOOD LUCK xx

[CLAIRE]

well i am glad to see the back of John although I do feel sorry for Kristina. Under the circumstances she did the best she could with what she had. John should have gone weeks ago as he was so hopeless and others who were much better than him were voted off earlier than they should have been. It is now time for the best dancer to win. They have all improved so much it is a shame to see any of them leave but there can only be one winner. Sorry to see Jodie go I think she has come a long way since week one. Good luck to all the rest keep up the hard work and we will hopefully have a worthy winner.

[Karen]

I'm glad that John has bowed out but I think if the public hadn't kept voting for someone who is clearly having difficulty with the dance routine, he wouldn't have been put in that awkward position. John comes across as a very endearing man, but we've got to remember that first and foremost the show is a dancing competition. The other dancers were managing much more complex routines very well and it wouldn't have been fair for John to remain in the competition and the others to be voted off.

[Keith Andrew]

Good on John Sargent we all know he was not a good dancer but he brought fun and laughter into the show which at the end of the day is light entertainment. One of the reasons I stopped watching the x factor was because it seemed the judges were more important than the contestants and they were sofar up the own backsides that it became boring.They have the opinions but it is the piblic that decides at the end of the day. The judges on strickley need to undrstand that we all apprecite they are the experts at dancing be we are not and will support those that entertain us thats why we watch otherwise why would we do it and we and the contestants are to be bullied then why watch and why spend our money voting for those we like. So when the judges all start wrining their hands because John has gone it carries no weight with me they drove him to it, so by all means comment but don't be nasty or cruel it is not necessary and if you cant do that then bog off.

[Karen]

If John hadn't have decided to go there would be all this fuss - the whole country don't want him back - I DONT -I have always watched strictly and part of the enjoyment factor is to see people getting better at dancing each week and the best one winner at the end - will the eventual winner this year have a bitter sweet victory! The whole show has been tainted by this whole episode - the judges are cruel to at least one person each series - where was the backlash then - and for people asking for their money back UNFORGIVEABLE - percentage of the money is for charity FOR CHILDREN IN NEED - are you only going to ask for the money that you spent on the actual call or are you going to include the money that would have been donated to charity as well. John wasnt a good dancer - but he shouldnt have left in the way he did - this strictly will be forever remembered for the one that left and I feel sorry for whoever wins - I dont know why they bother to train so hard each week - just put in a cute-sy performance and the viewing public will save you -apparently!

[Karen]

I thought the whole reason for starting strictly all those years ago was to donate to Children in Need - why is the programme still going if the money is not now going to charity - can somebody please clarify if this is the case or not.

[Tom]

The trouble is the judges want it both ways. They are quite happy to insult and belittle anyone who is not in their view up to standard, but still insist it’s a serious dance competition.
The question is would they behave the same way if they were judging a professional contest???

[annie]

I refer to the letter from Paul, yes we know there are terrible things going on in the world but sometimes we have to think of more happy times and take us away from all the sadness just for a moment and thinking of the pleasure John gave us is one of those times.Also for all of us unable to dance it shows us that we might just be able to put a foot right.

Annie

[jon]

Sad to see Jodie gone - she was hotter than July!!!
She had all the right moves!!
She had more moves than Bobby Fisher!!!
Phoowaaaaar!!

[Barbara]

Its obvious who the judges favourite is and who is going to win. If in the last two she will still win over the others. Shame John had to resign from it. I won't be watching it anymore, I think the whole thing is bad. Whats the point of it if the peoples favourite won't win anyway. I am surprised at one of those judges having known him at one point he was always so supportive of even the worst dancer. John tried his best and I am glad that we all gave him a lot of support during all the rubbish that went on, sorry to see you go John

[Pat]

John and Christina brought tears to my eyes on Saturday and that of my eleven year old son. What a lovely man John is and what a wonderful partner Christina made. They bowed out so gracefully and should be proud of what they achieved, which was to entertain us every Saturday night. How will the BBC run the next series. Maybe the should stick to offering places to blond binbos and macho men and save the humilations they put other less "beautiful" people through. That will keep the judges happy anyway.

[philip gundill]

After Saturday we can finally get down to the main reason for the show. Who can prove that they are the better dancer. I hated all the furore round John Sergeant. I would seriously like a question answered and that is - how come he is able to go on this working cruise - it must have been planned weeks in advance - I'm afraid I found he came across as completely smug and self-effacing and agree with Suzie and Jane's comments.

[Marlene]

It is such a shame that Jodie had to go out this week due to John leaving.Every year people have enjoyed this programme for the entertainment as well as the lovely dancing so why should it be any different this year. Good luck to the remaing couples.

[feeton the floor]

Get a life, this show is rubbish, the public just displayed what they thought of it. As for the judges, a lot of sad old foggies. The sooner this programme is off the air the better. Are there no scriptwriters left.???

[Peter Moon]

Having read many of the comments on Strictly come Dancing, many seem to be missing the point.
Why are some people criticising the judges.Their role is clear,ie to judge on aspects of technical ability, the chemistry between each partner and entertainment value.
However, without going into detail, the general public seem to register their votes on differnt criteria.
It must be very frustrating for stronger contestants to be eliminated or placed into the dance off, at the expense of weaker contestants in instances where the judges have voted their dance favourably.
In my opinion, the show producers must either change the show rules with regard to the final decision on each dancing couple or accept that the show could degenerate into a farce.

[nikki]

this shows is hotter than ever and it just shows how much all the couples will put in all their best efforts to pull of a wonderful performance look at rachel and vincent, their dance had all the elegance about it, she worked well with the connection with vincent and vincent put together, simple chereography so that rachel could use and wow, they had the best score yet. everyone is so getting there, they want this to be the best they have ever done. they all have put in loads of hours and they train nearly everyday and every night they can. felt really sorry for christine as it wasn't her best dance but she came out and she performed well. loving tom an austin as they are so fit an goodlooking.
I really hope that now they won't have to worry as much and they will come out and pull all the stops for their performances. They all have improved so much its brilliant to see how they all perform. I feel like i'm a part of the show as i really feel for them and when you dance it comes out naturally with some people. i really don't want the last five to go as they all have had a big journey to get where they are now.

[BOB]

Why bother the perfect pop princess Rachel is going to win again.No surprise there then

[suzy]

god what a pompus lot they are the judges if they want it as a proper dance show dont invite actors etc on the show if the judges want judge a dance contest let them go off and do it but its suppose to be entertainment for everyone isnt it !!! or have i got it wrong if you judges want a serious dance show dont invite amatures on or is that too intelligent for them to do. i think personally its a waste of tv all these reality programes bring back good dramas and entertainment programes instead of sour faced judges on a weekend is bad enough living in real world at the moment we want programes to look forward to at the weekend after working all week. thats what the bbc used to be famous for. and yes i use the off button alot lately but i pay my tv licience fee as well.Shame about john though a least he had a go.

[Susan O'Brien]

Why don't people blame the real culprites in the JS farse.
The media. I have watched all series & the judges were nicer to JS than they ever were to the two GMTV girls & what about poor Darmid Gavin.The press never got their knicker in a twist then!!!!. They are the ones who whipped up this frenzy. Though l have to say that JS is not blameless either. His smug comment upon bad marks for bad dancing were "the public will save me". That's when l went of him. So sorry, but so long John. Thanks Beeb for what is still one of the best shows.

[Karen Wilkinson]

We are all entitled to our personnel opinions, I for one am certainly glad John Sargeant has gone he made a mockery of the word Dancing. The judges are all professionals in the field of Dancing and not that of entertainment so they judge on what they know best and there criticism of John was justified and I felt they handdled it very well - they could have been a lot harsher, I wouldn't have given him 1 point most weeks.
The celebrities that are left have all got a talent for Dancing and I am looking forward to the remainder of shows.
Keep up the good work Strictly.

[spoilsport]

WHY ALL THE FUSS OVER JOHN, WHEN THE JUDGES ONLY HAD TO AWARD A CO DEAD HEAT FOR FIRST PLACE WITH SAY, FIVE LEFT IN THE COMPETITION. FOUR AWARDED FIRST PLACE-5POINTS EACH. JOHN BOTTOM-IPOINT. PUBLIC VOTE JOHN FIRST PLACE-5POINTS THE OTHERS 4-3-2-1. TOTALPOINTS JOHN ADDED TOGETHER-6POINTS. THE OTHERS-4-3-2-1 POINTS. THREE OF THE OTHERS 4-3-2 POINTS GIVING THEM 9-8-7 POINTS RESPECTIVELY. THE OTHER-1 POINT. THIS WOULD LEAVE JOHN AND ONE OTHER ON 6 POINTS- EACH TO DANCE OFF. END RESULT JOHN GOES AND EVERYBODY IS HAPPY.

[Jenny Forbes]

What was unpleasant and unnecessary was the judges' insulting personal comments to John Sergeant. True, they are there to judge the dancing and that is what they do, but it is possible to criticise a performance (fairly) without being deliberately rude. At least two of the judges are themselves not in the first flush of youth. Is that a crime? There's too much bad manners in the world today and I, for one, don't want to see the BBC encouraging it.

[Jane]

Why does everyone still think that the proceeds of Strictly telephone votes are going to charity? They used to be donated to Children in Need but, THIS YEAR, NO MONEY IS GOING TO CHARITY.

[Jane]

Remember who came 2nd in the very first series Chris Parker and he really could'nt dance we did'nt have all this fuss then things just seem to be getting far to serious!!!!Don't you think?? And too many big ego's. And the judges should't make nasty personal comments.I feel very sad that a fab program is getting spoilt.

[woodie]

Thank god for that.
Have you any idea what damage has been done to the cred of Small,Plump,Bald Mature men.
Fancy dressing him up in those hideously body hugging costumes,covered in glittering sequins,and encouraging him to parade in front of millions under the pretence of dancing.
The whole thing was pathetic,and the final emotional exit,was about as convincing as the Standing Ovation,pre rehearsed of course and directed by the Floor manager with a Great Big Board saying "Clap and Stand Now" or was it "crap and stand now".
On with the dancing I say,whilst John swans off on his cruise to return to his lucretive speech career.Good Luck to him hes only doing what we all would given the chance.
As for me ,Im off to burn all my sequin shirts,tight trousers and search the loft for my discarded Toupee.
Woodie (65,portly ,bold,devestated )

[Denise]

Now that John has got let's get on with the competition, leave the judges alone they are there to comment on the dancing - how fair would it have been to praise John when he really was terrible they were only doing what they are paid to do. I don't believe anyone of them were nasty just honest, so let's move on now.
Rachel and Vincent were fantastic, how beautiful they looked together - now that is dancing!!! I hope they are in the final, Vincent is my favourite.
Sorry to see Jodie go.

[David]

Very sorry to see John leave, but he went like a gentleman, as we would expect. As Brucie is retiring at the end of this series of Strictly, it would seem to be a great opportunity to 'retire' the judges as well. In series past they stuck to their job of judging the competition, but now we have the unedifying example of the judges bickering amongst themselves on a weekly basis.This unprofessional behaviour is led by Len Goodman who seems to be competing for the accolade of loudest mouth on TV. Time for a change BBC!

[Tracy]

Bravo John. You left with your dignity intact and your parting shot at the judges was perfect. Another related issue that I take up is the fact that Austin performed at the Television Awards show, choreographed by Arlene no less. How about that for nepotism.....why not the whole cast receiving that kind of exposure? So what if it was a different network - the point is he is a contender in a competition and should not have been singled out to perform infront of millions. Blah blah blah - watched for the last time Sat night. John you will be sorely missed as will the lovely Kristina.

[Dot from Cambridgeshire]

What has always made Strictly so popular is the fact that it attracts a wide range of celebs with varying degrees of ability and age. This is what makes the show entertaining. If it were merely a dance contest I think it's popularity would wane. I think it would be good for both the BBC and the judges to remember this, otherwise they stand the chance of destroying it's winning magic. Surely this is why the public are given a chance to vote. If the judges had total say over the public the programme just becomes an average dance contest and would probably in future only attract celebs who are perfect dances. Having never been one to follow the ballroom or latin dance world before Strictly I can honestly say I wouldnt bother watching anymore. I watch it for entertainment and in my eyes John was entertainment!

[smokin-nick]

I love strictly and John has bravely done the right thing and saved the show from descending into something unpleasant through the judges most unfair abuse of him. It is a show for celebrities and the wonderful chemistry and relationships of the dancers and their professional partners is what we cherish and this was very evident with John and Kristina as it is also with the all other couples. their struggles and developement make the show, not the judges who are not the stars. it is the dancers who make the show wonderful not whether they messed up a fleckle but their courage and vulnerability. have none of the judges a sense of humour? they have forgotten that this is critical for anyone who wants to set foot on a dance floor ie the ability to laugh at yourself.

[Paul Griffiths]

What a fuss about nothing. There are people dying of hunger, people being shot and displaced from their homes, we are in the mddle of people losing their homes because they cannot pay their debts and the news is about a man dancing and wether he was pushed or not. Let's get back to reality.

[Kathleen]

I loved this programme and will not be watching it again. The personal verbal attacks from the judges towards John in paticular were shocking. If this is entertainment then I can live without it.

[Anne]

Is there a John Sargent fan club out there.....raising money for charity ?. I'd like to join if so

[Anne]

Is there a John Sargent fan club out there.....raising money for charity ?. I'd like to join if so

[tonyw]

Glad he's gone,'carthorse' springs to mind !!

[Paul Squire]

After this fiasco, perhaps the Beeb and the show's brains need to rethink the format. How can you equally judge a professional athlete like Austin Healy with the capabilities of someone of John Sergeant's age and physique ? Its like comparing apples and pears. Why can't the competitors be judged on the same dance - as opposed to that of the dance-off last night ?

Change the judges if we want a bit of fun and entertainment; if we want it all serious then rename the show "Strictly Too Serious".

The show for the next few weeks will have lost its fun element now we are left with the "serious" contenders.

Shame.

[Malcolm]

I can't see any celebreties next year even bothering to go on the show and work hard in training. Why should they? We'll be left with the likes of Jade Goody, George Galloway and Russell Brand messing about and 'having fun'. Why does everything has to be reduced to the lowest common denominator? The judges are employed to judge the dancing and that is what they did. It's a good job the English public are not allowed a vote on FA Cup results, otherwise we'd end up with a Grays Athletic versus Chelmsford cup final at Wembley.

[Sue]

I think the comment about raising money for charity is the most important. John raised a lot of money, which if the stories are to be believed will be returned. It may well be John's decision to leave the show but I think the judges have done themselves no credit in the show this year. They argue amongst themeselves, put each other down and then take it out on the dancers. They have made it clear that they disliked John's popularity from the start, not just his dancing abilities.

I think the producers need to put the judges straight before next year. Yes, judge the dancing consrtuctively but accept the audiences judgement on entertainment in good grace, and stop having those little childish tantrums. They are NOT entertainment

[Richard Woollacott]

My feeling is that the BBC put John Sargeant on the show so that he could provide a laugh and be made a fool of. The last laughs on the BBC and the judges though.

[nerosgladiators]

Now that John has gone the 4 judges should now go. the judges have made an entertainment show into something ther own show. They obviously think that they are the stars when in actual fact they are nobody

[Noiram Notsnhoj]

I think John Sergeant is a sweety, but instead of continually being the consummate politician that he is, would he please tell the truth. Is it indeed true that he IS booked on a cruise in the next couple of weeks? If so, he should have consulted his diary before agreeing to go on Strictly.

[Lyn Kemp]

I personally believe its about time we have some new judges, with the exception of Arlene who is at least constructive in her critisism. They are there to judge the dancing and NOT makepersonal remarks about the dancers. It's unacceptable. I love Strictly and have watched it from the outset, please BBC, change the judges.

[dw]

I think it is such a shame that John has left; as this show is for charity and anyone who voted for them is helping them. What the judges seemed to have forgotten is that it is a dancing show, but not just for those who can dance, he had improved so much and he always put a smile on my face and millions of others, which is important.
He should have stayed and won it and continued to get votes for charity!!!!!!!!! hence more money!!!!!!

[Tom Herbert]

its nothing short of shameful the way the judges, and some of the other contestants and dancers, behaved towards John. In the middle of a credit crunch, people were paying good money to keep John in. He kept us entertained, which is what we wanted. All those dance 'afficiondos' who bleat on should go to real dance competitions and leave the entertainment stuff alone.

[Steve of Leicester]

Although on merit John should have gone weeks ago he didn't, rightly so, because of a democratic process. I was therefore rather surprised and disappointed that he flew in the face of the very process he is a public advocate of, namely the right of the British public to vote freely. Furthermore, John's done his fair share of critical analysis and lambasting in the past so why is everyone up in arms at the Strictly judges now the boots on the other foot (pardon the pun).

[Nigel Holder]

So, John Sargeant fell on his sword. I cannot believe that the judges comments did not have an influence in his decision to leave the show. Whatever the reason, John Sargeant always came across as having that elusive quality that the judges will never possess - CLASS. If the judges could only realise that the reason Lisa Snowdwen is the "Dance off Queen" as one of the judges called her, is because she is the least popular contestant with the viewers. So why don't they do the honourable thing and vote her off? The judges always get their way. Fixed? - you bet it is.

[Mick Jones]

John has answered the question,are we dancers or are we human?. he is human & a good one too. the judges & Bruce need to get a grip on reality.

[Stephen]

I think that John has behaved impeccably; the judges however have wrecked the show. John is the moral winner of the show, the rest is just a technicality. If the judges had done the right thing and acknowledged that for a man of his age and stature he was doing very well, but alas not quite as good as some of the others he would have quietly faded from the show some weeks earlier. But instead they tore into him with personal vitriolic abuse, which made me and clearly many others vote for him. Two if not all the judges should hang their heads in shame for crippling a super show. They should all go now, and we should have a fresh start. This programme is too good to lose.

[Brian]

If you follow John Sergeant's logic - I am quitting because I might win - no non league club would ever enter the FA Cup. Havant and Waterlooville wuld have pulled out after their victory against Liverpool in case they beat another better team than them. That is what makes competition so unpredictably fascinating, captivating and compulsive viewing. It is such a shame that Mr. Sergeant could not grasp that fact. I would just add that I HATE Strictly Come Dancing and was only persuaded to watch because of the afore mentioned reason. I will not watch it again but I will watch the next round of the FA Cup.

[John]

Am I the only one who feels the judges of Come Dancing are two faced in their comments since John Sargeant's departure. They hounded the guy off the show and then had the audacity to say how sorry they were. Craig's comments were the worst I have heard when saying John should have carried on and that he was a coward - or something to that effect!

These judges are following the xfactor routines to get audience ratings. Len Good man has become a prema dona and thinks he is the Simon Cowell of Come Dancing.

Maybe some of us watched Come Dancing as we preferred a show without the big egos but it seems the BBC is encouraging this verbal agression to keep the ratings higher.

Please, lets get back to a friendlier fomat without getting everybody thinking agression is good. Brucie and co and the contestants manage to keep it calm, why can't the judges.

John from Hassocks

[Debbie Hunt]

I can see both sides of the arguement, but I am glad he's gone. It appears to be a big publicity stunt on the BBC's part if you ask me. No one is talking much about the other dancers, all they keep on about is John Sargeant, which is even drawing interest from people who never even watch the show! I'm glad he's gone and he should never have been allowed to do a final dance, because that made a mockery of the situation as well.

[Alison Nicol]

I think that John Sergeant was head and shoulders above everyone else in the show. He was the only one who remebered it was a light entertainment game show programme and did not get carried away with his ego and the competition - some of the other so called 'celebrities' would do well to remember this. Well done John.

[belinda price]

Thank goodness he's gone. All this fuss about some old codger who has no charm, no idea how to dance and who I suspect is having a jolly good laugh at everyone else's expense. What a shame he couldn't have done the decent thing and stood down before Cherie had to go. She might not be in the first flush of youth either but at least she could dance and she held up the flag for we older ladies.

[Dingley Dell of Wakefield]

Goodbye John and Good riddance,why do us Brits love mediocrity - his dancing was crap but he played the system well. If he had been interviewing a politician who was as crap as he was dancing wouldn he have been calling for him to resign - I think so.!

[Marlaine Payne]

What is the plan now?being nasty to Christine,to see if she will opt out!
It worked with john,whatever he says.These celebs,go on here for light entertainment,and charity,so Why?should they take verbal abuse?Dont blame john at all for getting out.The judges need to watch the shows again,and see how silly they make themselves look...

[Isobel]

Saturday night's show was so much better with John out of the reckoning at least it was judged on an even plain. His show dance was no better than he had done the first week and I feel the standing ovation was a bit over the top but then that is just my opinion.

[Heather Akyuz]

Although I think John Sargeant should have gone weeks ago, I feel the public have been ripped off once again, its their money that paid to keep him in and for him to decide to leave has not given any consideration to them, but hey he got a sweetner for it - what did the public get NOTHING as per normal. Its as bad at the X Factor what a fix!!!!!!