More than 2,000 viewers have complained to the BBC about the treatment of John Sergeant on the talent show Strictly Come Dancing.

The former political journalist announced yesterday that he was quitting the show after several bruising encounters with its judges and despite overwhelming public support that saved him from the boot while more talented contestants were voted out.

Sergeant explained that there was a very real chance that he and his Russian dance partner, Kristina Rihanoff, could have won, which would have been "a joke too far". He added that he had made the decision after reading a Times column complaining that the joke was already wearing a bit thin.

A BBC spokeswoman said today that the corporation had received complaints from at least 2,094 fans "unhappy that he's leaving the show". That contrasts with the 377 complaints received before yesterday about the fact that he was still taking part, despite his clear lack of talent on the dance floor.

The 64-year-old had been rated last by the judges for the past three weekends but was saved from the dance-off by viewers. One judge called him a "dancing pig in Cuban heels" while others accused him of hijacking what was meant to be a dancing contest.

The Controller of BBC One, Jay Hunt, announced yesterday that viewers who voted for Sergeant in last week's show could apply for a refund. The BBC has yet to work out the procedure for that refund, but has promised to do so before this week's show, where Sergeant and Rihanoff are to perform one last time.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• How I lost the gift of joy for a while
• Why Ann Widdecombe has got it wrong
• Alas, it’s the end of the road for petrolheads