John Sergeant to dance final waltz

3:47pm Saturday 22nd November 2008

The nation's latest and most unlikely love affair will draw to a close when John Sergeant takes to the dancefloor for his final waltz on Strictly Come Dancing.

The former BBC political heavyweight sparked uproar earlier in the week when he announced he was pulling out of the popular BBC One show.

Around 2,000 viewers complained and he was left to face the wrath of the media including a grilling from Newsnight bruiser Jeremy Paxman. But his final turn with Russian dance partner Kristina Rihanoff is expected to pull in a huge audience on Saturday night, many of whom have taken Sergeant and his unorthodox moves to their hearts.

Explaining his decision to quit earlier in the week, he said there was a real danger he might win.

He said: "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."

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."

Viewers' love for Sergeant had kept him in the popular BBC One show - despite him coming bottom of the score table three weeks in a row with dance partner Rihanoff.

Following the media storm, BBC One controller Jay Hunt announced that anyone who had voted for Sergeant and wanted to be reimbursed would be. Even Business Secretary Lord Mandelson added his voice of support.

He said: "John Sergeant should not bow out. He has become the people's John Travolta and he should be a fighter, not a quitter."

Sergeant's final hurrah can be seen at 6.20 on Saturday evening on BBC One.