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Strictly star breaks Beeb gag to slam John Sergeant
By Alistair Foster, London Lite Last updated at 08:29am on 26.11.08Brendan Cole has blasted John Sergeant for walking out on Strictly Come Dancing, branding him “very selfish”.
Hitting out: Brendan Cole with girlfriend Zoe Hobbs
The New Zealand-born dancer is the first professional from the show to speak out after the BBC gagged contestants from talking about Sergeant's exit.
Cole, 32, who is still in the competition with Lisa Snowdon, said he sympathised most with Sergeant's partner Kristina Rihanoff. He said: “Kristina's borne the brunt of it. She's been left high and dry. I'm very upset for her and the show in general. I believe he was very selfish for doing it.
“He obviously has his reasons, but I don't understand how you can work closely with someone for 13, 14, 15 weeks and then just let them down.”
Cole had to withdraw from last year's series when his dance partner Kelly Brook's father died. Speaking as he switched on the Christmas lights at the Hard Rock Café in Mayfair, he added: “I'm not surprised Kristina's upset. I know what it's like, from when Kelly's father passed away.
“Kristina worked so hard and got the short straw with John and now it's all over. She came over from America and wanted to do well. The audience get a 50 per cent say and the judges a 50 per cent say in who stays in the show. If you don't like the terms, don't do the show. He had every right to be there.”
Strictly judges Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood, who strongly criticised Sergeant's dancing, may face the axe if viewing figures fall. Sergeant's “last waltz” on Saturday attracted 11.7m — the highest of the series.
Reader views (5)
Poor John, he was treated appallingly by the judges who felt it was perfectly acceptable to go on various TV shows and encourage people not to vote for John and Kristina. A judge referred to him as a dancing pig in cuban heels!! John did not need Strictly as a lot of the competitors do to revive dying careers. He had nothing to gain by staying just more abuse and humiliation. The judges are to blame for this fiasco, in my opinion. It is time the BBC took some control regarding their comments about celebs and their constant fighting with each other during the show. It is no longer entertaining to watch. I no longer care who wins Strictly Come Dancing. I am disillusioned as they are all (judges, competitors, pro-dancers etc) rather bitchy and unkind!!!
- R Heilig, Cologne Germany
This guy is an idiot. Everyone was saying that John should go and inferring it was his fault for still being there.
So he leaves and they're still not happy!
- Kate, London
He's not 'the first professional on the show to speak out', James Jordan said the same "selfish" comment on It Takes Two last week!
- Sarah, London
Jings! Poor John
he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't1
Whats the poor man to do???
But at least something go may come out of it - the awful hatchet face Arlene may be leaving - hoorah!!
- Janey C, inverness scotland
The gag obviously hasn't worked very well as James Jordan (Cherie Lunghi's dancing partner) had already described John Sergent as selfish on the "It Takes Two" programme last Wednesday.
- Debs, London
