Why did John Sergeant quit SCD?

Just heard the news that political journo John Sergeant has quit the UK BBCtv dance show Strictly Come Dancing. Known in other countries as Dancing with the Stars, this tv show has a fantastic following in the UK, regularly topping viewing stats every Saturday and Sunday - Sunday being when the results go out.

John Sergeant and his professional partner Kristina Rihanoff have been a highly controversial entry this year. To be brutally honest, he really doesn't seem to have dancing feet, BUT he has tried hard, trained hard and done his best and the British public have rewarded him by keeping him in the show so far.

However the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli have been relentless in their criticism and have repeatedly complained about the voting system that has kept John in.

For myself, I have been 'guilty' of voting for John -because I think he is fun and tries so hard, and to annoy the judges (especially Craig Revell-Horwood), but, I have also voted for other contestants who, in their particular week have danced the best.

I am sorry that this has happened, and many of John's fans will be equally upset, but I also felt sad that Cherie Lunghi went out last week, she really shouldn't have, based on her performance versus John's.

The real question is, what will happen, and what SHOULD happen to the voting system for SCD next year. Rumours and leaks are already emerging - like this one on the Daily Telegraph website.

I would be intrigued to know if similar situations have arisen in other countries where there is a similar show, or are their voting systems different and not dependent on viewer support?

There is also a nagging feeling that we have not yet heard the full story of why he came to this decision, could there have been pressure from other competitors, even pressure from Kristina - all has yet to be revealed.

Over to you dear readers....