Now Magazine | All the celebrity gossip
  • 25 November 2009
  • Goodtoknow-network-site
John Sergeant steps down
John Sergeant said he didn't want to win Strictly Come Dancing for the wrong reasons

Kristina Rihanoff: John Sergeant was like a lamb led to slaughter

Strictly Come Dancing partner is devastated by his decision to leave the show

Monday, 24 November 2008

Kristina Rihanoff is outraged that her partner John Sergeant quit Strictly Come Dancing.

The political journalist, 64, pulled out of the BBC show last week after mounting criticism of his performances from the judges.

It's thought John felt pressured to step down after he feared the judges' comments would turn the public vote unfairly in his favour.

‘John was like a lamb led to the slaughter,’ Kristina says.

‘They just let him be savaged. In the end we felt like we were caught in a war zone between the judges and the public.

‘Some judges’ remarks crossed the line of taste and respect. And they became harder for him to take. Yet it was because the judges were so mean that the public kept us in.’

Kristina, 31, says she was heartbroken when he broke the news to her.

‘I pleaded with him to reconsider,’ she tells the News Of The World.

‘But he said: “I’ve made up my mind. The best part was dancing with you and the others. But I feel like for some it’s a much more serious game.

'"They really want to make it to the final, but I am doing it for the entertainment, for myself.”’

SEE VIDEO John Sergeant's best moments on Strictly Come Dancing>>

Alison Adey

 

Stuck for the perfect Christmas gift? Save 30% when you subscribe to Now>>

Rate this!

  1. Not bad
  2. Okay
  3. Good
  4. Great
  5. Excellent

 

Star rating:Rating-3-star

  • IPC Media Limited, owner of nowmagazine.co.uk, will collect the address of the recipient solely to process your requests.

  • Print this article

Comments

Be the first to add a comment

Add a comment

* required fields

Now magazine will not publish anything which is defamatory, offensive, or illegal. Email nowonline@ipcmedia.com to complain about any comments

IPC Media Limited, owner of nowmagazine.co.uk, will collect your personal information solely to process your request.

Top videos

I am a
Aged to Postcode
Member log in or Register here

Feeds_celebritypeoplephotos

Latest poll

Who gave the better performance on The X Factor?

Poll
  • Mariah Carey (47%)
  • Susan Boyle (53%)

Win Today

Win a Panasonic SOS party kit

Win an SOS Party Pack

2 great prizes to be won!

Enter now




More on Now...

Cerys Matthews | 54th Annual Ivor Novello Awards 2009 in London | Red Carpet | London | Pictures | Now Magazine | Celebrity Gossip

Cerys Matthews gives birth early to baby boy

Son arrives eight weeks before due date

Lancome Sparkling Cherub Powder | Beauty Buy | Beauty | Pictures | Now Magazine | Celebrity Gossip

Lancôme's little bit of love

An illuminating power with its own cherub...

Adam Lambert greets the crowds | Now Magazine | Celebrity Spy | Pictures

SEE VIDEO Adam Lambert plays down AMA gay kiss

American Idol runner-up says adrenaline took over

Katehrine Jenkins|victoria Beckham| posh| dress|sexy

Katherine Jenkins' Posh purple dress

Grab a Victoria Beckham-inspired number for a fraction of the price

John and Edward Grimes - Their X Factor journey| Pictures| Now Magazine|Celebrity Gossip

John and Edward: Watch out Ant and Dec

Twins want to be as popular as TV duo



goodtoknow Pick Me Up What's on TV