Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show dazzled its way onto screens last night, with celebs and pros pulling it out the bag to deliver a string of epic performances.
But that’s not all bosses have to celebrate, as viewing figures have also shown promise after an initial slump on launch night.
Last night, the likes of Chris McCausland, Tasha Ghouri, Pete Wicks, Nick Knowles, Shayne Ward, and Sarah Hadland took to the dancefloor with their professional partners.
On hand to dish out scathing criticism and the occasional glowing score were judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, with JLS star JB Gill soaring to the top of the leaderboard with a respectable 31 points.
But his partnership with Amy isn’t the only thing that soared on Saturday, as ratings have also increased by an impressive one million from last weekend.
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As confirmed to Metro.co.uk by the BBC, Strictly, which aired from 7pm until 9:30pm, averaged 6.4million viewers last night.
The show peaked at 6.6million.
Perhaps more impressively, it acquired a huge audience share of 49.4%.
The figures are sure to rise in the coming days too, as Strictly fanatics catch up and re-watch via BBC iPlayer.
It comes after nearly a million fewer viewers watched the 2024 Strictly launch show compared with 2023.
An average of 5.5million viewers watched the BBC One programme on September 14, as the show returned amid a wave of controversy surrounding axed professional dancers who have been forced to deny allegations of misconduct in training.
Worth noting, however, that these overnight figures have fluctuated over the years and an increasing number of people watch on-demand, which is not accounted for in the initial number.
(Picture: MetroUK/PA)
An average of 5.4million watched 2022’s launch, and the 2021 pre-recorded launch show drew in seven million.
As for the first live show of 2023, while it was down from 2022, overnight figures were still higher than those of this year.
Last autumn, 6.6million viewers, compared with 6.8 million in 2022 and 7.9million in 2021, tuned in to watch the cast take their first steps.
In news that was surely a comfort to the class of 2024, there was no public vote this weekend, meaning everyone will return to dance again next weekend, where the judges’ scores will be combined and the dreaded dance-off cuts one couple’s Strictly journey short.
Following their first dances, Love Islander Tasha is the new hot favourite, as bookies predict her for glitterball glory due to impressing with her cha cha cha.
She and returning pro Aljaz Skorjanec were awarded 30 points by the panel, with Shirley telling Tasha: ‘You are on your way to having one of the most spectacular leg actions I think I’ve ever seen on the show.’
Meanwhile, Toyah Willcox looks to be in trouble, having scored just 12 points for her tango and landing bottom of the leaderboard.
Joining her in the danger zone were Paul Merson and Towie’s Pete, both of whom scored 17 for their American smooth and paso doble, respectively.
The star of the night, however, was undoubtedly comedian Chris, who makes history as the show’s first-ever blind contestant.
Paired with Aussie pro Dianne Buswell, the beloved Scouser nailed his cha cha cha to Twist And Shout, which was awarded 23 points.
Judge Anton said: ‘It was one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever seen in my entire life.’
Shirley added: ‘I’m quite shocked and very emotional – fabulous.’
Viewers have already taken the TV star to their hearts and were keen to heap praise on him once again as Chris brushed off critique from resident Mr Nasty Craig, telling him: ‘I’m too knackered to care, mate!’
‘I’ll drive you home tonight,’ he added with a smile.
He wasn’t the only one clapping back at the panel last night either, as podcaster Pete also hit out after his timing was slammed by Anton.
‘I’ve got no rhythm, mate!’, Pete declared, leaving Strictly viewers to anticipate fireworks in the coming weeks…
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday at 6:15pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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