The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing drew a peak audience of five million viewers, the BBC has confirmed.
Across the two-and-a-half-hour show, an average of 4.8 million viewers tuned in on BBC One to watch the latest batch of celebrities take to the dance floor with their professional partners for the first time in a live performance.
It also marked the debut live show for new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, who stepped into the roles previously held by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
Viewing figures and iPlayer success
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.”
This follows last week's launch episode, which pulled in a peak of 5.8 million viewers and an average of 5.3 million. Saturday's episode of Strictly currently sits at number one on iPlayer's most popular chart.
Leaderboard highlights
Social media star John Nellis topped the Strictly leaderboard alongside his partner Katya Jones, wowing the judges with a foxtrot to Alex Warren's Ordinary.
The judges awarded the routine 31 points, with Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas hailing it as “the best dance of the night” and Craig Revel Horwood describing it as “classy, elegant and graceful”.
Hot on their heels was Australian singer Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington, who earned 29 points for their Samba to Baiana by Barbatuques. The episode concluded with a three-way tie for last place, each act finishing on 15 points.
New hosts divide viewers
The new hosts divided viewers with their presenting duties, with Emma and Josh stationed by the judges' table, while Johannes welcomed the dancers on the balcony ahead of the score reveal.
Taking to X, one viewer @SouthernCazza1 shared: “Why does it take three presenters anyway? Are Strictly Come Dancing saying that it takes three people to fill Claudia and Tess's shoes? #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly.”
@Claudiacc said: “This just doesn’t work. Overkill with three presenters. Josh totally wrong and Johannes lack of experience really shows. Emma is amazing but the two blokes are going to lose viewers unless the BBC act swiftly #strictly.”
@bosdovja92 wrote: “Christ this is very awkward. Johannes doesn’t work. Josh doesn’t work. It really should’ve been Emma and one other person. #Strictly.”
@slinehan1 also said: “I'm not going to be one of the people hating on Josh. For me the problem is that three hosts just aren't needed. He's just standing there awkwardly next to Emma without much to do. Josh should've been up where Johannes is and Johannes should be dancing imo. #Strictly.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday for movie week.
