The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Strictly Come Dancing launch sees ratings dip
Celebrities paired up with professional dance partners for new series of hit show
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing launched to an average of 7.8 million viewers, according to overnight ratings.
This gave BBC1 a 44.7% share of all those watching television in the timeslot, with the audience peaking at 8.3 million, the BBC said.
This marks a dips in the ratings compared with the launch show last year, when it debuted to an average audience of 8.1 million, peaking at 8.5 million, but a growth in the share, up from 40.9% last year.
On ITV, Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions drew an average of just under 4.9 million, peaking at 5.6 million, and an audience share of 30.3%.
ITV figures include those watching on +1 and HD.
The launch episode of Strictly saw the celebrity contestants learn who their professional partners will be.
Anton Du Beke joked that he might have a chance of lifting the glitterball trophy after discovering he will be partnered with EastEnders actress Emma Barton.
The veteran ballroom dancer, 53, has been on the show since its first series but has never won.
He has often been paired with the contest’s older, female stars, including Ann Widdecombe and Susannah Constantine.
After Tess Daly announced the pairing, he and Barton hugged, with Du Beke joking: “So this is what it feels like ... Book me in until Christmas.”
Talking to Claudia Winkleman, an overjoyed Du Beke added: “I’d just like to say to all the other ladies on the show: I apologise, I know it seemed a bit of an over-reaction, but if you’ve been through what I’ve been through ... I’ve gone all hot.”
The 17th series of the BBC1 dancing programme launched with 15 celebrities from the worlds of sport, television and comedy appearing in the pre-recorded episode.
In a shock twist, reigning champion Kevin Clifton, who won last year with Stacey Dooley, was partnered with TV personality Anneka Rice, the oldest star on the roster this year at 60.
Former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley was paired with South African professional dancer Johannes Radebe, while Neil Jones secured his first celebrity partner in former England and Arsenal footballer Alex Scott.
Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas returned as judges, this year joined by newcomer Motsi Mabuse.
The live episodes of Strictly Come Dancing will begin on September 21.