The first live show of the new Strictly Come Dancing series attracted a peak of five million viewers, the BBC has said. Over the two-and-a-half-hour programme, an average of 4.8 million viewers tuned in to BBC One as the latest batch of stars performed with their professional partners live for the first time.
New Presenters Debut
The episode also marked the first live show for new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, who took over from Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
A Strictly spokesperson said: “Strictly was the most watched programme of the night, with a peak of five million viewers. As ever, overnight ratings do not give the full picture of all those who watch in an on-demand world.”
Leaderboard Highlights
The figures follow last week’s launch episode, which had a peak of 5.8 million viewers and an average of 5.3 million. Saturday’s episode is currently number one on the iPlayer’s most popular chart.
Social media star John Nellis topped the leaderboard with his partner Katya Jones, wowing the judges with a foxtrot to Alex Warren’s Ordinary. The routine earned 31 points, with Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas praising it as “the best dance of the night” and Craig Revel Horwood calling it “classy, elegant and graceful”.
Bottom of the Board
Australian singer Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington followed with 29 points for their Samba to Baiana by Barbatuques. The episode ended in a three-way tie for last place with 15 points.
Among those at the bottom were Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec, who performed a cha cha to Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Sir Elton John and Kiki Dee. They were joined by ex-footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr, performing a cha cha to Lil Boo Thang by Paul Russell, and Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon after their quickstep to C’est Magnifique by Kay Starr.
The new hosts split presenting duties, with Willis and Widdicombe by the judges’ table while Radebe welcomed dancers on the balcony ahead of the score reveal. The first show did not include a public vote or elimination. Strictly Come Dancing will return on BBC One on Saturday for movie week.
