The public adored him but the judges hated him. One called him a "dancing pig in Cuban heels."

In the latest twist, retired British Broadcasting Corp. political correspondent John Sergeant announced yesterday he is quitting the television dance contest Strictly Come Dancing because he is afraid he might win.

"It was always my intention to have fun on the show and I was hoping to stay in as long as possible," Sergeant said in a statement. "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."

Sergeant has been this season's surprise star on the BBC show, despite being labelled the program's worst-ever competitor by judges. Viewers have consistently voted for the portly Sergeant above more accomplished dancers -- the latest example of the way TV producers' best-laid plans can be upset by viewers' mischievous love of an underdog.

Week after week, the judges excoriated 64-year-old Sergeant, whose ungainly moves -- including a galumphing paso doble in which he inelegantly dragged partner Kristina Rihanoff across the floor -- gained him the nickname "the dancing pig."

Ballroom instructor Len Goodman told Sergeant his popularity "makes a nonsense of the show."

In TV terms, though, it was pure gold. Week after week, Sergeant came last in the judges' rankings, only to be saved by public vote.

Viewers praised Sergeant as funny, gallant and gentlemanly.