Sergeant exit 'a blow for Strictly'

8:06am Thursday 20th November 2008

Strictly Come Dancing will be "worse off" for John Sergeant's dramatic departure, a former contestant said.

GMTV presenter Andrew Castle, who was voted off the series earlier this month, claimed the programme would suffer because some people were taking it too seriously.

Castle said the 64-year-old former BBC political correspondent had "played a brilliant game from beginning to end".

"He leaves the programme undefeated, his flag flying high, and the programme will be worse off for it because at end of the day it's an entertainment show and some people have failed in a spectacular fashion to see that," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Sergeant's decision sparked an outcry among fans who claim he was forced out.

However, Sergeant brushed off suggestions he had been bullied and said he left to avoid a "bloody battle".

He said there was a real danger he might win and told a press conference at BBC Television Centre in London on Wednesday: "That is a frightening thought, it is a terrifying thought.

"I didn't want that to happen because it would have been a very bittersweet victory."

Falling back on his years of political election reporting, he added: "The problem was there was no viable Stop Sergeant candidate."

Sergeant, who has come under fire from judges for his clumsy footwork, said: "I decide to choose my own battles. What I did not want was a bloody battle."