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Last updated at 11:59am on 18.11.08Strictly Come Dancing underdog John Sergeant has turned the show into a "soap opera", the latest victim of his popularity said today.
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."
Reader views (19)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
The BBC should make sure they only invite younger, slim & good looking people to enter next year then, since they are the only ones who can win! How boring! John had entertainment value and now he's been (indirectly) 'forced' to quit, I won't be watching it anymore. The Judges have got their way after all!
- Dawn R, Telford, Uk
The primary aim of the show is entertainment. It simply uses a dance competition as a medium. Seems the judges and some of the contestants have lost sight of that. While it has been wonderful to see the contestants improve and dance exceptionally well, John has brought a human factor to the show that many of us can identify with. Personally, I don't think John would have won, as eventually, when it really mattered the voting would have reflected the capability of the contestants. The viewers pay the licence fee and are equal participants in this show. The manner of John's departure in many viewers eyes will be a disappointing.
- Brian, Glasgow
All the people who keep voting for J S every week "and yes i agree he is a nice person"Should remember that the show is called strictly come dancing and not strictly personality,Other wise its not worth all the other people working there butts of for nothing.
- Doreen, St Helens
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