BBC: 'Strictly' judges' jobs are safe

The BBC has denied reports that it is considering axing two Strictly Come Dancing judges if viewing figures plummet in the wake of John Sergeant's departure.

The Daily Mail claimed that Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood are facing the sack after being accused of forcing Sergeant to quit the show.

"The BBC's head honchos were furious that John Sergeant fell on his sword. He was the most enormous ratings winner and executives think the judges overstepped the mark," a corporation source was quoted as telling the newspaper.

"Arlene and Craig have the axe hanging over them depending on how ratings do in the rest of the show over the next month."

A BBC spokesperson said: "The story about the Strictly Come Dancing judges in today's Daily Mail is a load of rubbish. The judges' role in the show is to critique the contestants' dancing and that is exactly what they have done in this series and every series before it."

Sergeant's final weekend attracted 11.7 million viewers to the BBC One competition.

Thousands of viewers complained to the corporation after he decided to leave following a barrage of criticism from the judges.