Cilla Black has said she is "shocked" by John Sergeant's decision to quit Strictly Come Dancing.

Speaking at a pantomime season launch in London, the television presenter said she was stunned to hear the news.

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live Cilla said: "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."

Cilla added that she believed John had "bowed to the pressure" after getting a "public sl***ing off" from judges on the show - and that she would like to see him back on the show.

She said in a message to Sergeant: "We love you... I think it is an outrage."

Source