The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Strictly waltzes off with Saturday ratings victory
BBC favourite beats ITV’s X Factor by over four million viewers
St r i c t l y C o m e Dancing’s first live show of the series pulled in more viewers than the launch episode two weeks ago, and continued to triumph over The X Factor in the ratings.
The BBC One broadcast, which saw the 15 celebrities and their partners take to the dancefloor for the first time in an episode lasting nearly two-and-a-half hours, attracted an average audience of 8.9 million and a peak of 10 million.
It was the most-watched programme of the day across all channels, the BBC said, and was an increase on the launch show on September 9, which had an average of 8.1 million with a peak of 8.5 million in the overnight ratings.
The X Factor, which aired on ITV after Strictly ended, pulled in an average of five million viewers and a peak of 5.6 million.
This marks a slight dip for Strictly compared to the equivalent episode last year, and a slight increase for The X Factor.
Last year’s first live Strictly episode had an average of 9.3 million viewers and a peak of 10.2 million, while the episode of The X Factor that aired on the same evening pulled in 4.8 million with a peak of six million.
However, last year’s X Factor overlapped with Strictly for 45 minutes.
Overnight ratings are based on the viewers who watch when the programme airs, and do not take into account those watching on catch-up or online later.
Strictly, which this year includes the likes of YouTuber Joe Sugg, Steps star Faye Tozer, Blue singer Lee Ryan and radio DJ Vick Hope, was also the most-watched show among people aged 16-34 on Saturday, the BBC said.
No couples will leave the competition this week, with the first pair leaving next Sunday after they take to the dancefloor for a second time.
Tozer and Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts topped the leaderboard for the first week, both scoring 29 out of a possible 40.