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Minister: Get rid of the Strictly judges
Danny Brierley21 Nov 2008
A CABINET minister waded into the row over Strictly Come Dancing today after John Sergeant's decision to walk out.
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy called for the show's judges to be sacked because they were taking the issue too seriously.
He said Sergeant's performance had been "entertainment and fun". Mr Murphy told the BBC's Question Time: "I think we need to get rid of the judges rather than John."
Mr Sergeant, a former political reporter, resigned on Wednesday after scathing remarks from the judges. The 64-year-old had been kept in the show by the public vote but left after saying it would be "a joke too far" if he won. Mr Murphy said: "The judges don't know what this programme is all about."
Mr Sergeant, who has been on Strictly Coming Dancing for nine weeks, has promised to perform a farewell dance on tomorrow's show with dance partner Kristina Rihanoff.
Reader views (6)
Having never actually seen this programme, I watched part of it this week out of curiosity. What a shop worn old lot they look (the judges). We had a good laugh and turned it off.
- Jilly, London, England, 24/11/2008 13:23
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'Mr Nice' (John Sergeant) and a group of 'nasties' (the judges),...what better combination for success can you have? The BBC have created the biggest wind-up, and the public love it!
- Douglas, Bristol, 21/11/2008 16:32
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How pathetic, surely he and the rest of the John Sergeant fan club has more important things to rant and rave about. For all the people that wanted to keep JS in the show there are twice as many that wanted him to leave. It's just a TV show, get a grip.
- Trisha, London, 21/11/2008 16:18
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First we have Mandelson wanting to muscle in as a contestant, now we have another MP commenting on the judges' performance.
I trust that these comments were not made when they should have been conducting parliamentary business?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 21/11/2008 14:29
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I think Mr Murphy should be considering his position if he has enough time to comment on Strictly Come Dancing. Also if he thinks someone should be sacked for taking their jobs too seriously then 'God help Scotland'
- Alex C, London, 21/11/2008 13:18
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How pathetic. Ministers shouldbe worrying more about what is happening in the world than SCD.
Anyway, John is not the first person to be "bullied" by the judges. Look at how they treated Kate Garraway last year, Fiona Phillips before that.
Come on let's get a grip
- E Sullivan, London, 21/11/2008 12:04
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