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Sergeant's decision to leave the contest - with one last ratings bonanza guaranteed - will spare BBC bosses from a potentially damaging row with the show's judges, who were becoming increasingly exasperated that their professional judgment counted for nothing with the viewers. Len Goodman, the usually affable head judge, had complained that Sergeant's success "made a nonsense of the show".

The BBC's online message boards lit up with viewer complaints after today's news as viewers complained that the judges had ignored the rules and bullied the oldest contestant out of the show. Some picked up on recent TV phone-in scandals to say that they would be asking for their money back.

"I am very angry about this," said one. "I have supported John from the start and have voted for him and now the bullies have won."

Among those backing Sergeant was Lord Mandelson, who borrowed a line from himself and another from Tony Blair for a peculiarly mangled tribute. "John Sergeant should not bow out," he said. "He has become the people’s John Travolta and he should be a fighter, not a quitter."

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Matters appear to have come to a head after the actress Cherie Lunghi, who was tipped as a possible winner, was voted off last week’s programme.

Afterwards, she said the show was becoming a "soap opera", with some people working hard to compete while viewers responded to Sergeant's character and endearing relationship with the platinum blonde Rihanoff.

Sergeant had let the complaints wash over him, content to soak up the public acclaim and enjoy the show for which he had shed two stone despite accusations of laziness.

He said today: ""If people really are getting so wound up that it’s very difficult to carry on the joke, then it’s time to go."

He also denied that he had been forced out against his will: "Anyone thinking that I can be leant on or bullied does not know me very well. I decide to choose my own battles. What I did not want was a bloody battle."

The show's host. Bruce Forsyth, described the news as a"bit of a shock". "I feel very sorry for John because he’s been put in the most awkward position," he said. "He looks at all the other dancers and he knows they are better dancers than him and he must have felt over the last few weeks very guilty in a way."

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT SERGEANT

"A dancing pig in Cuban heels" - Arlene Phillips, judge

"You are outstanding - at dancing badly" - Phillips

"This is a dance competition. It's not Strictly Come John Sergeant" - Craig Revel Horwood, judge

"That was more ha ha ha than cha-cha-cha" - Len Goodman, judge

"Arguably the least talented person ever to feature in a talent contest" - news report in The Times

'It's actually marvellous to see how seriously he is taking all this. He has lost 20lb because he has been working so hard and cut out the alcohol. I think by the end of the year he will look like James Bond" - Kristina Rihanoff, dancing partner

'It is funny how judges both in real life and on Strictly Come Dancing lose touch with the views of ordinary people" - John Sergeant

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