Frankly, I think it's John Sergeant that has made something that is supposed to fun into something entirely too serious. He's the one that has quit simply because what has happened on every series before this one is now happening to him. Maybe hr needs to reminded what kind of show it is.

Gina, reading,

John left because he knew it was time to go as did his fellow dancers.
Carol calls him a 'pig in sequins'. I don't find that funny only insulting.
The judges did not bully him off. You can't call it light entertainment on moment and then take the judges seriously the next.

Patrick, Norwich, uk

SCD is a light entertainment dance contest. I tune in to see someone with no dance experience getting taught how to dance, convincingly. Watching John not learn to dance after 9 weeks reinforced my notion if you can't dance by 30 then there's no hope. Judges are right to critique the contestants.

E Davis, Bridgwater, Somerset

Perhaps the judges should have resigned instead as they clearly weren't enjoying themselves!

Suzanne, London,

As I understand the way it works, the judges provide a professional opinion of the quality of the dancing. The public then vote on who they want to continue entertaining them. The judges have usurped the public's wishes by their bad grace.

Geoff, Newport,

Now that John Sergeant is out of the show it will be
DULL, DULL, DULL - in the words of a complete bully - its a disaster! John did not take himself or the competion too seriously - maybe the judges could learn a thing or two from him. - I'm sorry he has gone.

kate bonner, Camberley, Surrey

The whole point of this competition is for Charity and JS was the only one who actually looked like he was enjoying himself!

Perhaps it would be nice to see the judges dancing!!!!!

too much of a sense of their own importance!

jean, Watford,

To suggest that the judges on SCD are wrong to be negative about John Sargeants performance is to forget what it is they are paid to do. As for ruining the show this whole fiasco has brought more viewers and more coverage than ever before, the producers couldn't have planned it better had they tried

Sue, Neath, Wales

I will never watch SCD again - if John were from an ethnic minority he would never have been treated in this way. I think the BBC have a real problem on their hands with this situation. Very poor all round. The only person to emerge with any class is John. He has been treated very badly.

Brian, Glasgow, Scotland

If they had such lofty aspirations for their entertainment show why did they invite him and countless before him on in the first place?
I never recall who won. Fiona Phillips et al live far longer in the memory.
They promote dancing far better to us mere masses who would otherwise be deterred

Nick Vass, East Markham, UK

What a brilliantly written news report, well done Carol. I completely agree this is a Saturday night entertainment programme, with John gone it is mearly a Saturday night programme. I am sure that you are right and that ratings will plummet.

Louise, epsom, Surrey

I feel sorry at the way John has been treated and was frankly shocked at some of the judges remarks about him. I have really enjoyed watching SCD up until now but probably wont bother now. The fun has gone out of it now.

Martine, Southampton, UK

You say 'The judges pomposity is talking themselfs out of a job'. In one breath you talk of democracy;' the peoples voice should be heard', then; 'the pompose judges should think of the ratings and tow the BBC line'. Do you want the judges to say everyone is brilliant, No! Dont hound the judges out

David, Stafford, Staffs

SCD is supposed to entertain. John was doing that. It doesn't matter if he isn't the best dancer. If the judges had been more moderate in their comments we would not have needed to flood to his defense. The money goes to children in need & the additional calls have rasied more money - well done John

Lynda , Droitwich Spa, Worcs

If the judges would rather the public didn't have their say, perhaps they should have removed the public vote and reimbursed the BBC of the revenue out of their own pockets. Public votes means the public get to choose. I've never watched SCD but was going to vote for John this week on principle.

Sophie, Birmingham,

The judges and people who think Strictly is a serious dance competition should speak to the controller of BBC One, who said yesterday "strictly is a light entertainment show, it's not about winning a gold medal for foxtrot". The last piece of excitement has gone; the winner has been clear for weeks.

Kelly, Glasgow,

Disgusted with the judges. What about the eccentric scoring - particularly Craig's. We accepted this as part of the show not about a professional dancing competition. Come on judges - some of your comments are acceptable in a light-hearted entertainment show but not if it is a solely dancing.

Michael, Wokingham, UK

At the next general election, will we have the benefit of a panel of judges telling us which of the candidates aren't fit for office?
The BBC could televise the process, and the show could be called 'strictly undemocratic'.
I'm afraid 'strictly come dancing' doesn't get my vote any more.

andy, Bristol, UK

Perhaps SCD should invite John Sergeant to judge the next series. People would watch that. He wouldn't be edgy, of course, he'd be fair: a novel idea, but it might just work.

Rosemary, Liverpool,

The BBC invited a "ludicrousguest" (or so they think) each year for Strictly. The judges then can have their fun, cheap jokes, bullying, wisecraclks, all for their own egos -- John Sergearnt was popular and they under estimated his popularity.
Iam sorry he is gone/ He should have won the contest.

Esther Forder, Cobham, Surrey

I feel really disappointed that John Sergeant felt forced to quit the Strictly Come Dancing Show. I think that the public were voting for the idea that Saturday night entertainment should do just that and entertain. It is a pity that the show will now be left to boring elitists. I shall not watch

Mrs J Dix, Chippenham, United Kingdom

You are SO wrong. Strictly will continue because the public loves it - with or without John. It's just a shame that journalists use their position to air their own views rather than those of the public. The judges are dance experts and have a right to their opinions - do you?

Andrea, Warminster,

My views too. A great show ruined by pompous judges who take themselves and the show too seriously.

Peter Jones, Preston, UK

The sort of show the judges want is at odds with what the public want.

Sergeant voters will be reimbursed if they ask to be. I'll certainly be demanding my money back because I want to choose the charity it goes to (after the judges' behaviour, an anti-bullying one).

Andrew, Fareham,