John Sergeant

Fans are up in arms over 'the people's John Travolta' aka John Sergeant quitting Strictly Come Dancing.

The former political journalist released a statement yesterday explaining his reasons for leaving the show.

He admitted: "If we had won it would have been a very bittersweet victory. If people are getting so wound up that it's difficult to carry on the joke, then it's time to go."

His exit has caused fans to believe he was bullied off the show, and upset viewers flooded the BBC switchboard with complaints. 

The BBC has offered to refund people who voted for John. A source told the Sun: "We are working out the details now, but we are working out a plan where viewers will be refunded."

His decision to leave has disappointed the public and even politicians.

Conservative leader, David Cameron said he was 'devastated' and Lord Mandelson was dismayed saying: "He should be a fighter, not a quitter." Host Bruce Forsyth commented: "I'm sad for John because he's a lovely guy."

He may have got the public vote, but he was never popular with the judges. Arlene Phillips called him a 'dancing pig in Cuban heels' and head judge Len Goodman denounced one of his routines saying: "That was more ha-ha-ha than cha-cha-cha.  If somebody deserving gets knocked out because the public like you, it makes a nonsense of the show."

John has been rehearsing his farewell dance for this week's show, which will see him 'stomping' his way in style to Sophie Ellis Bextor's Murder on the Dancefloor.  He told the Daily Star: "It ends with me firing imaginary bullets at the judges."

Looks like John will get his own back in end.

Check out the Beeb's tribute to John below:

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