Cheri claims John's blonde is his secret weapon

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Dancing soap: Strictly contestants James Jordan and Cherie Lunghi on BBC today

A day after judge Arlene Phillips accused the "dancing pig" of undermining the programme, actress Cherie Lunghi joined the controversy.

She claimed the journalist, 64, was being helped by the popularity of his dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff.

Lunghi, who was voted off on Sunday, told the BBC Breakfast news programme today: "Christina is a wonderful dancer and makes him look wonderful. I don't know whether it's a Marilyn Monroe kind of fantasy or whatever, but it's a show and it is entertainment.

Sergeant's mess: John and graceful Kristina in the contest

"It is almost like there are two shows going on. John is dancing and competing, but there is this whole soap thing and there is sympathy for the character."

Speaking about her training regime, Lunghi added: "Everybody is putting in five or six hours a day. The dancers have spent 20 years getting to the top of their game for the competition." The 56-year-old star of hospital soap opera Casualty revealed that Sergeant apologised to her after her unexpected departure, which followed a dance- off against actress Lisa Snowdon.

Until then, Lunghi had been a favourite to win the BBC show. Her dance partner James Jordan said: "I want to see the best dancer win, but I do understand people are voting because they love John Sergeant. Some people are saying I'm a sore loser, but it is not about that. I just want to make sure the best dancers stay in the competition. I understand the show is successful because we have people like John Sergeant, but enough is enough."