It was a moment few fans of Strictly Come Dancing are likely to forget.
It was a moment few fans of Strictly Come Dancing are likely to forget.
Former political editor John Sergeant dragged his normally elegant partner Kristina Rihanoff across the floor like a sack of potatoes as the couple's paso doble descended into farce.
The judges were disgusted, with one describing him as a "dancing pig in Cuban heels", and another saying he "made a nonsense of the show".
The viewing public, though, just couldn't get enough of Sergeant's two left feet and saved his skin week after week.
But yesterday Sergeant - described by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson as the "people's John Travolta" - did something many of the politicians he spent a lifetime covering would never have the guts to do. He resigned with dignity.
The 64-year-old former BBC correspondent brushed off suggestions he had been bullied and said he left to avoid a "bloody battle".
He added there was a real danger he might win the show and told a press conference at Television Centre in London: "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."
Harking back to his years of election reporting, he added: "The problem was there was no viable Stop Sergeant candidate. The reasons for leaving; well it is like when do you leave a party. You leave before the fighting starts and I think that is what has happened on this occasion.
"We had fun dancing and dancing is a wonderfully enjoyable thing, but if the joke wears thin, if people begin to take things very seriously and if people are getting so wound up that it is very difficult to carry on the joke, then it is time to go."
He also addressed criticism from judge Arlene Phillips that instead of rehearsing he just "sits and reads the Guardian", saying he had to keep up with the economic crisis and election news from the US.
Phillips told the BBC that Sergeant had his "own reasons" for the move. When asked if she felt responsible for his departure, she said: "Not really. If you look back, we've actually been quite nice on this programme."
Last weekend, actress Cherie Lunghi became the ninth celebrity to leave the show, even though the judges praised her "breakthrough" performance. For the past three weeks, Sergeant and his Russian partner were at the bottom of the scoreboard.
Last night the BBC's website was flooded with comments from viewers angry at his departure. Even those at the highest echelons of British politics gave their support.
Lord Mandelson, who admitted this week that he would like to be asked to be on the show, said: "John Sergeant should not bow out. He has become the people's John Travolta and he should be a fighter, not a quitter."
The show's host Bruce Forsyth said he felt sad for Sergeant.
He told the BBC: "He looks at all the other dancers and he knows they're better dancers than him and he must have felt, over the last few weeks, he must have been very guilty in a way."
Other celebrities queued up to rally round Sergeant.
Cilla Black said in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live: "I am shocked and I am stunned. I think it is an absolute disgrace because it is a public show, it is supposed to be entertainment - so, yes, the judges judge on the dancing, but at the end of the day it is the public that pays money for the licence and it is up to them to judge who they want on the show.
"I am absolutely disgusted by the whole thing. John, I love you."
Former Olympic swimmer Mark Foster, who was voted off the contest last month, said: "I think it's really sad that John has pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing.
"It is an entertainment show and John really caught a wave with the public, especially his unique marching style."
Sergeant will end his dancing career with a last waltz on Saturday night.
The BBC has said that anyone who voted for Sergeant and wants to be reimbursed will be.
Flagship channels go online
BBC One and BBC Two will be available to watch live on the internet from next week.
The channels will be accessible via www.bbc.co.uk and will also be available on internet-enabled devices such as mobile phones.
They join BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies and BBC News, which are already streamed on the web.
Research by Ofcom revealed that the number of people watching television online doubled in the past 12 months.
Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision, said: "The launch of BBC One and BBC Two online completes our commitment to make our portfolio of channels available to watch on the internet.
"From November 27, licence fee-payers will be able to watch BBC programmes, live, wherever they are in the UK on their computers, mobile phones and other portable devices."
The channels are being put online as part of a one-year evaluation period.
