Strictly Come Dancing beats The X Factor in the ratings battle
STRICTLY COME DANCING won their first Saturday night ratings battle against the X Factor, gaining 300,000 more viewers than the ITV show.
The hit dancing show hosted by Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly launched last night on BBC1 and was watched by 9.4 million.
This beat the X Factor's total of 9.1 million comfortably. The X Factor is on its second week of its tenth series, but is splitting the audition stages into two shows each weekend. The talent show lost 900,000 viewers compared to their opening weekend.
It was Strictly's most successful launch show ever, bringing in 400,000 more viewers than last year's opening night.
The pre-recorded show saw the celebrities being told who they would be dancing with for the very first time. As well as regulars like Anton du Beke and Ola Jordan, several new professionals were introduced- Janette Manmara, Aljaz Skornajec, Kevin Clifton and Anya Garnis are now joining the ranks.
The show featured performances from Rod Stewart and Jessie J. Viewers also seen last year's winners Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace taking to the floor.
THE DANCE PARTNERS
Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole
Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
Deborah Meaden and Robin Windsor
Abbey Clancy and Aljaz Skornajec
Fiona Fullerton and Anton du Beke
Natalie Gumede and Artem Chigvintsev
Vanessa Feltz and James Jordan
Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton
Ashley Taylor Dawson and Ola Jordan
Julien McDonald and Janette Manrara
Patrick Robinson and Anya Garnis
Tony Jacklin and Aliona Vilani
Dave Myers and Karen Hauer
Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
Mark Bentin and Iveta Lukosiute