Monday, 24 November 2008

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

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

John Sergeant said he didn't want to win Strictly Come Dancing for the wrong reasons

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>>