Sergeant hits back at 'Strictly' judges

John Sergeant has apparently blasted Strictly Come Dancing judges for their treatment of him on the BBC show.

The 64-year-old told The Mirror that the panel should either accept that the public has a say, or resign.

Sergeant's cha cha cha with partner Kristina Rihanoff on Saturday night was awarded just 12 points out of a possible 40 from the panel, yet the journalist was kept out of Sunday's dance-off thanks to the public vote.

Judge Bruno Tonioli said yesterday he was "spitting feathers" that Heather Small exited the show before Sergeant. "I'm appalled and disgusted. I don't understand it. It's a dancing competition," he said.

Branded "outstanding at dancing really badly" by Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman said it would "make a nonsense of the show" if Sergeant were kept in over a "deserving" dancer. However, Sergeant vowed to march on, saying: "I wish they would stop saying it is a travesty and unfair for me to still be in the show.

"If not, then they should resign. If they are so upset, they should never have agreed the contract. Everyone knows that the public vote for half of it, so there's nothing I can do about it. But I'm still enjoying it very much."