Britons voiced anger Wednesday as a hopeless contestant described as a `dancing pig` quit a top television show, seeking to defuse a media-fuelled row which has threatened to divide the nation.

As the economy crumbles and conflict wracks Africa, one issue has gripped the British public: a chubby, ageing television journalist who won the nation`s hearts on `Strictly Come Dancing,` which has become an international hit.

Despite the judges continually savaging John Sergeant`s almost comical performances, viewers loved it and had repeatedly voted to keep him in the show, attracting front-page newspaper coverage.

Sergeant, 64, formerly one of British television`s top political reporters, pulled out of the BBC dance competition show saying the joke had gone too far as there was now a real danger of him winning it.

`I am sorry to say I have decided to leave `Strictly Come Dancing`,` said Sergeant. `It was always my intention to have fun on the show and I was hoping to stay in as long as possible.

`The trouble is that there is now a real danger that I might win the competition. Even for me that would be a joke too far.`

He added later: `It is like, when do you leave a party? You leave before the fighting starts and I think that is what has happened on this occasion.`

But his decision to waltz away from the spotlight triggered a furious response from viewers on the show`s Internet message board.

`Absolute disgrace and a huge blow for democracy,` wrote exvernonjohnson.

Sleeeepwalker said: `This is so wrong I just don`t have the words.`

`It is a sad day when the bully boys win. I hope all involved hang their heads in shame,` wrote lovepurdey.

AdoreCraigRH said: `Now he`s a martyr.`

CosmicClaireAnn added: `So the bullies have won. As an older person with a hip problem I now feel that I have nobody on SCD to relate to.`

However, Zulu24 said: `Er... he was hopeless. Glad he`s gone.`

Among the six left in the competition are models Jodie Kidd and Lisa Snowdon, ex-England rugby union player Austin Healey and former pop singer Rachel Stevens.

The British show has spawned more international spin-offs than any other programme, with the format having been sold to 38 countries, including the United States, India and Japan.

The row even drew a response from a cabinet minister: former EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson, recently resurrected to the British government as business secretary under his former Labour Party foe Gordon Brown.

`John Sergeant should not bow out. He has become the people`s John Travolta and he should be a fighter, not a quitter,` he said, in a finely-crafted comment playfully recalling famous Labour soundbites.

The flamboyant minister -- who was twice previously forced to quit Tony Blair`s cabinet -- has even hinted that he would be interested in going on `Strictly,` as it is almost universally referred to here.

David Cameron, leader of the main opposition Conservatives, said he was `devastated` by Sergeant`s departure.

`Strictly will not be the same without him. The nation will not have the same spring in its step on a Saturday night,` he said.