2:32PM, Nov 28, 2008
We thought that the furore over John Sergeant's departure would've have calmed down by now, but rumous are circulating that all is not well in Camp Strictly.
Elsewhere, Tom's suffering after Jodie gave him the lurghy.
Arlene and Craig to Get the Chop?
Rumours have been circulating this week that the judges' jobs may be on the line if show ratings fall due to John Sergeant's departure.
Nearly 12 million viewers tuned in to watch John's final waltz with partner Kristina Rihanoff, bringing in the show's best audience so far this series.
Word on the grapevine was that BBC chiefs had placed the blame on John's two biggest critics, Arlene and Craig. One show insider told the Daily Mail: "The BBC's head honchos were furious that John Sergeant fell on his sword.
"He was the most enormous ratings winner and executives think the judges overstepped the mark.
"Arlene and Craig have the axe hanging over them depending on how ratings do in the rest of the show over the next month."
But the Beeb have denied the story: "The story about the Strictly Come Dancing judges is a load of rubbish," said a spokesperson this week.
"The judges' role in the show is to critique the contestants' dancing and that is exactly what they have done in this series and every series before it."
Well, who could argue with that? Meanwhile, the Sergeant storm continues...
Sergeant's Been Snubbed
Despite being a favourite with fans, John won't be appearing on this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
The 64-year-old will return for the series finale, but his offer to appear on the festive show was turned down.
Producers are refusing to change the format - which usually sees three former champions compete against the final three current contestants - despite including Kelly Brook in the line-up after she withdrew from 2007's competition due to a family bereavement.
A BBC source said: "The only way a contestant from this series can be involved in the Christmas special is if they make it to the last three couples. We have already got our line-up sorted." 'Nuff said.
But it seems John has done some snubbing of his own. His two left feet aside, former pro partner Kristina wanted to team up with the people's John Travolta for 2009's Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, but John has decided to concentrate on other work.
An insider told The Sun: "Kristina was looking forward to going on the road with John." While Brendan Cole added: "Kristina was naturally very upset by it all."
Tom's Flu Fear
Last week Jodie Kidd's performance was hampered by the flu, and it looks like bookies' favourite Tom Chambers' performance on Saturday could be jeopardised by the same illness.
Tom is determined to battle on regardless and is ambitious as ever. Speaking to Clauda Winkleman on Strictly sister show, It Takes Two, Tom revealed he'd like to get a 10 from the judges and seemed confident that his Samba could get him to the top of the leader board on Saturday: "I've suddenly bought the Latin ticket. I'm actually really starting to enjoy the Latin."
Lisa's Elimination Anxiety
And Tom's not the only contestant under pressure. Lisa has admitted that she feels disheartened following a second week in the bottom two.
"It is difficult," said Lisa on It Takes Two. "It's disappointing being in the dance-off again, it makes me sad.
"We really try in the week and we really want to go out there. We've got so much support out there and we just want to entertain people. It is quite disheartening.
"It has knocked our confidence but we're still here."
Let's hope Lisa can bounce back in time for Saturday night.
Find out when Strictly Come Dancing is showing on TV.
