Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Ian Waite has said the show's results programme needs a major shake-up and should not be pre-recorded, following a sharp year-on-year drop in viewing figures.
The first results show of the series, which saw Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden eliminated, attracted 4.5 million viewers, compared with 6.2 million for the equivalent show last year, according to figures reported by the Mirror.
Live show 'would probably be better'
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Waite suggested returning to a live format. "I do think if we had a live result show, it would probably be better," he said. "Run Strictly earlier, maybe 6 o'clock till 8 o'clock, and then run the result show at nine. So that it's all done before 9.30, 9.45 so they'll still have that time in between to count the votes. It's a shame it's not a live show, and maybe that's what it needs to be."
The 55-year-old dancer added: "I think pre-recorded is never as exciting."
History of the results show
The results show aired live on Saturday nights until 2007, when then-BBC One controller Peter Fincham moved it to Sunday to help the BBC compete with ITV. The programme was also extended from 30 minutes to 45 minutes at that time.
Viewers previously had more influence over the dance-off outcome, voting to save a couple after both had performed a second dance. The judges' vote was later introduced, with the late Len Goodman as head judge making the deciding vote in the event of a split.
Moving the results show to Sunday meant the BBC had to pre-record it after the main show on Saturday, as the studio space at Elstree was unavailable on both days.
Changes to the show
Waite said Strictly was ready for change. "I think Strictly was ready for a change with some new input for fresh ideas," he said. "The new pros are fantastic, but I do think it probably needs some sort of change in the choreographical sense so that group members are slightly different, done slightly differently. But listen, it still is a very glitzy Saturday night, slick, amazing show. The trouble is, there's nothing to replace it."
Commenting on the new presenting team, Waite said Emma Willis is "amazing" and that Josh Widdicombe needs time to "find his funny". "I think he just needs to find his feet and find his funny because he is so funny and we can yet yet to really see that a lot yet," he said. "Emma's that anchor, Josh is the funny, and Johannes is the pro who knows all about dancing. So let's make it relatable to the dancing. And I think if they can do that, then they're going to be fantastic."
Waite was speaking on behalf of BestBettingBonuses.co.uk.
