Strictly Come Dancing's first results show of 2026 attracted around two million fewer viewers than the equivalent episode last year, according to overnight ratings data.
The Sunday night edition, in which Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden were eliminated after a dance-off against Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu, drew 4.5 million viewers, compared with 6.5 million for the first results show of 2025, figures from Digital i showed.
Live show ratings also down
The drop follows reports that the first live show of the year peaked at five million viewers, more than a million below the 6.2 million average for the 2025 opener.
A Strictly spokesperson said of the first show: “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.”
The BBC was also approached for comment on the results show. A spokesperson replied: “The UK's most watched programmes this weekend were Strictly Come Dancing and the Strictly Come Dancing results show. As ever, overnight ratings do not give the full picture of all those who watch in an on-demand world.”
New hosts and mixed fan reaction
This year's series has undergone several changes, including a new presenting line-up. Longtime hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced mid-season last year that they would be leaving, and have been replaced by Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe.
The new hosts have received mixed reviews from fans, particularly comedian Josh, with some viewers suggesting he seemed like a "spare part" next to Emma Willis while hosting the main show.
Since his live show debut over two weeks ago, Josh has kept a low profile online and declined to speak about Strictly. However, on Monday evening he took to Instagram to share a clip from Saturday night's show. The video featured Shirley [Ballas] pulling out her mini shoes, much to the exasperation of her fellow judges. She had captioned it: "Actual footage of me and my tiny shoes annoying my fellow judges for a full 39 seconds." Resharing the clip, Josh simply wrote: "Iconic."
Some fans felt Josh had improved at the weekend. One wrote on Twitter: "#Strictly The format for the Results show is so much better. Emma is reading out the results on her own and has had the chance to do a little segment with JoJo upstairs whilst Josh is upstairs chatting to the celebs and seems really natural. The hosts finally sharing the roles which is what is needed."
