As a long time Strictly Come Dancing fan I couldn't let the events of this series go without comment. John Sergeant has pulled out of the competition yesterday due to the controversy surrounding his continued presence on the show. Prior to this news I was a little split on the issue. I agree with him that it is a television show and prime time Saturday night light entertainment. I agree that the viewers can vote for whoever they want to see dance again. However, I also agree with the judges that it is a dance competition. The challenge for the celebrities who agree to go on the show is to learn to dance.
Arlene Phillips described the situation well at the start of this week, that the competition was divided into the other contestants who were all competing on the basis of dancing to the best of their abilities; versus John, who himself admitted that he couldn't stay in the competition on the merit of his dancing and so he and Kristina must win votes by being entertaining. He was playing a different game and it was unfair to the good dancers who had to leave the competition before him.
Since he announced his retirement from the show I feel a little relieved. The whole issue had gotten out of control and was overshadowing the dancing to the detriment of the show, which is ultimately what John says was his reason for stepping down.
The judges are saying now that they don't believe the public would put John through to the final, that they would eventually start voting for the more deserving dancers. But I don't agree. While in the past public support for the comedy participants has waned in time for the most talented dancer to take the trophy, this year it felt different.
John was not another Kate Garraway or Julian Clary. They won public votes due to the rather disturbing tendency of the British public to enjoy seeing people humiliate themselves. That tendency runs its course in the end, people get bored. But John Sergeant is genuinely loved and respected by the public. People were voting for him on that basis, there were internet campaigns set up to get him through to the final, some people were honestly supporting him to win. This never happened with Kenny Logan or any other celebrity who stayed in the competition beyond their ability level.
The level of frustration felt by his critics (myself included) was spoiling the season and excellent dancing performances were getting lost in the debate. Had his continued presence in the competition not drawn so much press attention and criticism then I probably wouldn't have objected to his potentially winning. Had there not been six or seven other truly gifted dancers in it this year, had the competition not had such tension and excitement purely from the high standards of the other contestants, then I would have been fully supportive of John.
It is an entertainment show and Louisa Lytton is right when she says it's about having fun and raising money for charity. Maybe next year the producers could fill the show with celebrities who can all compete on that level?!
Arlene Phillips described the situation well at the start of this week, that the competition was divided into the other contestants who were all competing on the basis of dancing to the best of their abilities; versus John, who himself admitted that he couldn't stay in the competition on the merit of his dancing and so he and Kristina must win votes by being entertaining. He was playing a different game and it was unfair to the good dancers who had to leave the competition before him.
Since he announced his retirement from the show I feel a little relieved. The whole issue had gotten out of control and was overshadowing the dancing to the detriment of the show, which is ultimately what John says was his reason for stepping down.
The judges are saying now that they don't believe the public would put John through to the final, that they would eventually start voting for the more deserving dancers. But I don't agree. While in the past public support for the comedy participants has waned in time for the most talented dancer to take the trophy, this year it felt different.
John was not another Kate Garraway or Julian Clary. They won public votes due to the rather disturbing tendency of the British public to enjoy seeing people humiliate themselves. That tendency runs its course in the end, people get bored. But John Sergeant is genuinely loved and respected by the public. People were voting for him on that basis, there were internet campaigns set up to get him through to the final, some people were honestly supporting him to win. This never happened with Kenny Logan or any other celebrity who stayed in the competition beyond their ability level.
The level of frustration felt by his critics (myself included) was spoiling the season and excellent dancing performances were getting lost in the debate. Had his continued presence in the competition not drawn so much press attention and criticism then I probably wouldn't have objected to his potentially winning. Had there not been six or seven other truly gifted dancers in it this year, had the competition not had such tension and excitement purely from the high standards of the other contestants, then I would have been fully supportive of John.
It is an entertainment show and Louisa Lytton is right when she says it's about having fun and raising money for charity. Maybe next year the producers could fill the show with celebrities who can all compete on that level?!
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