Strictly star breaks Beeb gag to slam John Sergeant

Brendan Cole has blasted John Sergeant for walking out on Strictly Come Dancing, branding him "very selfish".

Hitting out: Brendan Cole with girlfriend Zoe Hobbs

The New Zealand-born dancer is the first professional from the show to speak out after the BBC gagged contestants from talking about Sergeant's exit.

Cole, 32, who is still in the competition with Lisa Snowdon, said he sympathised most with Sergeant's partner Kristina Rihanoff. He said: "Kristina's borne the brunt of it. She's been left high and dry. I'm very upset for her and the show in general. I believe he was very selfish for doing it.
"He obviously has his reasons, but I don't understand how you can work closely with someone for 13, 14, 15 weeks and then just let them down."

Cole had to withdraw from last year's series when his dance partner Kelly Brook's father died. Speaking as he switched on the Christmas lights at the Hard Rock Café in Mayfair, he added: "I'm not surprised Kristina's upset. I know what it's like, from when Kelly's father passed away.
"Kristina worked so hard and got the short straw with John and now it's all over. She came over from America and wanted to do well. The audience get a 50 per cent say and the judges a 50 per cent say in who stays in the show. If you don't like the terms, don't do the show. He had every right to be there."

Strictly judges Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood, who strongly criticised Sergeant's dancing, may face the axe if viewing figures fall. Sergeant's "last waltz" on Saturday attracted 11.7m — the highest of the series.