Strictly Come Dancing's Saturday live show and Sunday results programme have both lost viewers compared with last year. The decline in overnight ratings comes amid criticism from some fans of presenting trio Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
Around 4.8 million people tuned in to the opening Saturday live show, an audience some 1.4 million smaller than the 6.2 million who watched the equivalent episode in 2025. This marked the first time in seven years that the opening live episode of the BBC show pulled in lower overnight numbers than its pre-recorded launch show. Meanwhile, last week's first Sunday results programme took an even harder hit, tumbling to roughly 4.5 million viewers, compared to 6.5 million in 2025.
Pre-recorded format and leaked results
A key contributing factor remains the pre-recorded format, which leaves the elimination result at risk of being leaked online before the Sunday broadcast airs. Following the release of the ratings data on X, scores of Strictly fans found themselves at odds over the show's future direction. Many viewers branded Sunday's results show as 'pointless', given that the pre-recorded outcome regularly emerges online well in advance.
One viewer wrote: "The result had leaked out on Saturday night so I'm sure a lot of people didn't watch because they knew Chris was voted out." Meanwhile, another agreed: "Results are most pointless show. It gets leaked. The show is dragged out with who cares it needs to go." However, one viewer pushed back: "This can also be said for last year when 2 million more people still tuned in."
Criticism of new presenting trio
Others remarked they 'weren't surprised' as Strictly had 'been ruined' or 'wasn't good TV anymore'. "I'm surprised it's that high," one viewer commented. "They've taken a show and completely ruined it. Full of non celebs plus two out of the three presenters can't present. It's a dance show with the majority of it not dancing and judges that have gone past their by date." While another simply stated: "No surprise. Not vital TV anymore".
BBC spokespeople emphasise that standard overnight figures do not account for catch-up viewing on BBC iPlayer and on-demand streaming, where a growing proportion of the audience now watches the show. Many viewers were quick to point this out in response to the post, with one writing: "It's not being remembered that people stream too, stop pulling our happy show down and talk positively or go off social media." Another added: "Didn't this happen with I'm A Celebrity last year where every night was the LOWEST ever but once they added all the viewers who didn't watch it live, it was still a healthy rating? It will be fine."
Despite the dip in ratings, Strictly Come Dancing continues to hold its position as the most-watched programme of the weekend in traditional television viewing.
Why are people criticising this year's Strictly judges?
The criticism directed at the new setup boils down to a few key areas. With three hosts instead of the traditional duo, viewers and critics have argued that the roles feel overcrowded. Josh has faced the bulk of this feedback, with some labelling him a "spare part" alongside Emma Willis on the main floor. Critics note his stand-up comedy background leads him to "gag-at-all-costs" banter, occasionally talking over Emma or interrupting the flow with judges and contestants.
Johannes, who took over interviewing contestants upstairs, faced early criticism for talking over couples as they came up the stairs and overcooking the emotional reactions, though viewers have noted he is steadily settling into the role. Many viewers were frustrated that while the BBC changed the faces, they kept the exact same presenting formula and script structure. The scripted jokes and warm-up banter that were tailored specifically for Tess and Claudia's established double-act feel forced or unnatural when delivered by the new team.
Former pros (such as Brendan Cole) and long-time fans have pointed out that audiences simply aren't used to the shift after 15+ years of Daly and Winkleman. Replacing an iconic, deeply familiar pairing naturally triggers a backlash while the new team builds chemistry and finds their rhythm. Show judges and defenders have asked viewers to be patient while the trio "beds in," pointing out that learning to manage a live, two-and-a-half-hour flagship broadcast takes time.
This week's Strictly Come Dancing results show airs on Sunday 11 October 2026 from 7:10pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
