John: I didn't want to win Strictly

19 November 2008 04:50pm

John Sergeant has said that winning Strictly Come Dancing would have been a "bittersweet victory".

The former BBC political correspondent, who was criticised by the show's judges for his clumsy footwork, has quit the show - saying it had become obvious that, due to his popular support base, he could have won the competition.

He said: "That is a frightening thought, it is a terrifying thought. I didn't want that to happen because it would have been a very bittersweet victory."

But he brushed aside suggestions that he was pushed out by TV bosses.

He said: "Anyone thinking that I can be leant on or bullied does not know me very well. I decide to choose my own battles. What I did not want was a bloody battle."

The ousted dancer himself said he had planned a routine to Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Murder On The Dance Floor.

"It ended up with me firing imaginary bullets at the judges," he said.

He added: "It would have amused me, and maybe lots of people in the audience, but some people would say 'Here we go - not more John Sergeant ruining a marvellous dancing competition'.

"The idea that we would carry on doing this week after week - irritating and annoying people and causing controversy - that is not what I'm about and that is not why I wanted to join the show."

© The Press Association