Strictly hit with fresh blow as first live show viewing figures plummet to LOWEST of all time following scandals --[Reported by Umva mag]

STRICTLY bosses are fretting after the lowest viewing figures for the first live show of a series since it began. A peak of 6.7 million fans watched on Saturday — down from 7.3 million last year and a high of 10.2million in 2020. PAStrictly Come Dancing has been hit with a fresh blow as live show viewing figures plummet to the lowest of all time[/caption] PAThe figures comes as the show has been plagued by recent scandals, above Love Island’s Tasha with Aljaz[/caption] How Strictly ratings have dropped in recent years The blow followed poor ratings — down a million in a year — as the celebrity pairings were revealed in the previous week’s launch show. A TV insider said: “Strictly bosses were worried enough by the pre-recorded launch show. “But the fact that the first live show saw a drop too will be of concern to them — particularly if the drop continues into next week, which is the first elimination show. “They now face an anxious wait to see whether the drop in on-the-night viewers is made up for by an increase in fans watching Strictly on iPlayer, but those figures take days and weeks to compile. “These live figures really matter to the Beeb, because Strictly is still seen as one of the few shows that provide the shared TV experience where people come together to watch a programme at a set time.” Strictly has been hit by recent problems, including alleged bad behaviour behind the scenes by pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima. But Saturday’s show saw Love Island star Tasha Ghouri dazzle on the dancefloor with pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec — finishing joint second with Miranda actress Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola. Putting in the performances JLS star JB Gill topped the scoreboard after bagging 30 points with pro partner Amy Dowden, returning to the show after treatment for breast cancer. In joint third place with 26 points were Go Compare ad singer Wynne Evans with Katya Jones, plus Montell Douglas — aka Gladiators’ Fire — with pro partner Johannes Radebe. Another outstanding performances came from blind comedian Chris McCausland, whose routine with Diane Buswell received 23 points. Bookies Ladbrokes slashed his odds from 14/1 last week to 7/2. One fan wrote on X/Twitter: “I sincerely hope this doesn’t come across as patronising, but I cried all the way through Chris McCausland’s routine. I know the judges have to be as objective as possible but what we just witnessed Chris McCausland do was simply incredible Strictly fan “He has never seen any of the dances or the colours of Strictly, but he brought so much joy & spirit, and that for me is what it’s all about.” Another agreed: “I know the judges have to be as objective as possible but what we just witnessed Chris McCausland do was simply incredible.” PAOn Saturday’s live show, JLS star JB Gill topped the scoreboard after bagging 30 points with pro partner Amy Dowden[/caption] PAAnother outstanding performance came from blind comedian Chris McCausland, whose routine with Diane Buswell received 23 point[/caption] A third predicted Chris and Diane would lift the Glitterball trophy, adding: “Chris McCausland is a national treasure in waiting.” Meanwhile host Claudia Winkleman also drew plenty of comments for wearing a long gown that had viewers comparing her to Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies. One user joked online: “She’s just missing the Chelsea buns on the side of her head.” Last night the BBC pointed out Strictly was still the most watched show on TV on Saturday night. A spokesman went on: “Overnights no longer provide an accurate picture of all those who watch in an on-demand world.” The BBC recently said the number of people using its catch-up service was increasing by 11 per cent a year. An Ofcom report this year showed that the number of young people watching TV in the traditional way had fallen from 76 per cent to 48 per cent in the last six years. PASarah Hadland and Vito Coppola finished in joint second[/caption] PAHost Claudia Winkleman drew plenty of comments for wearing a gown that had viewers comparing her to Princess Leia[/caption] Claudia wore a similar dress to Carrie Fisher’s iconic characterRex Blow, but show still dazzles IF THERE’S ever a measure of the changing fortunes of Strictly — for better or worse — it’s the first live show of every series. It’s the “business end” of the contest, second only in importance to the final. In contrast, the launch show is just an introduction where none of the competitors actually dance. There’s a reason why it’s considered by the Beeb to be “week one”, because it’s at this point that things really start to matter. Which is why there’ll be some serious agonising over Saturday’s figures, and a f

Sep 23, 2024 - 13:29

Strictly hit with fresh blow as first live show viewing figures plummet to LOWEST of all time following scandals --[Reported by Umva mag]

STRICTLY bosses are fretting after the lowest viewing figures for the first live show of a series since it began.

A peak of 6.7 million fans watched on Saturday — down from 7.3 million last year and a high of 10.2million in 2020.

a man and a woman are dancing on a dance floor

Strictly Come Dancing has been hit with a fresh blow as live show viewing figures plummet to the lowest of all time[/caption]

a man and a woman are dancing on a stage

The figures comes as the show has been plagued by recent scandals, above Love Island’s Tasha with Aljaz[/caption]

a graph showing the growth of disco balls from 2021 to 2024 — How Strictly ratings have dropped in recent years

The blow followed poor ratings — down a million in a year — as the celebrity pairings were revealed in the previous week’s launch show.

A TV insider said: “Strictly bosses were worried enough by the pre-recorded launch show.

“But the fact that the first live show saw a drop too will be of concern to them — particularly if the drop continues into next week, which is the first elimination show.

“They now face an anxious wait to see whether the drop in on-the-night viewers is made up for by an increase in fans watching Strictly on iPlayer, but those figures take days and weeks to compile.

“These live figures really matter to the Beeb, because Strictly is still seen as one of the few shows that provide the shared TV experience where people come together to watch a programme at a set time.”

Strictly has been hit by recent problems, including alleged bad behaviour behind the scenes by pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima.

But Saturday’s show saw Love Island star Tasha Ghouri dazzle on the dancefloor with pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec — finishing joint second with Miranda actress Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola.

Putting in the performances

JLS star JB Gill topped the scoreboard after bagging 30 points with pro partner Amy Dowden, returning to the show after treatment for breast cancer.

In joint third place with 26 points were Go Compare ad singer Wynne Evans with Katya Jones, plus Montell Douglas — aka Gladiators’ Fire — with pro partner Johannes Radebe.

Another outstanding performances came from blind comedian Chris McCausland, whose routine with Diane Buswell received 23 points.

Bookies Ladbrokes slashed his odds from 14/1 last week to 7/2.

One fan wrote on X/Twitter: “I sincerely hope this doesn’t come across as patronising, but I cried all the way through Chris McCausland’s routine.

I know the judges have to be as objective as possible but what we just witnessed Chris McCausland do was simply incredible Strictly fan

“He has never seen any of the dances or the colours of Strictly, but he brought so much joy & spirit, and that for me is what it’s all about.”

Another agreed: “I know the judges have to be as objective as possible but what we just witnessed Chris McCausland do was simply incredible.”

On Saturday’s live show, JLS star JB Gill topped the scoreboard after bagging 30 points with pro partner Amy Dowden[/caption]

a man and woman are dancing in front of a sign that says live music

Another outstanding performance came from blind comedian Chris McCausland, whose routine with Diane Buswell received 23 point[/caption]

A third predicted Chris and Diane would lift the Glitterball trophy, adding: “Chris McCausland is a national treasure in waiting.”

Meanwhile host Claudia Winkleman also drew plenty of comments for wearing a long gown that had viewers comparing her to Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies.

One user joked online: “She’s just missing the Chelsea buns on the side of her head.”

Last night the BBC pointed out Strictly was still the most watched show on TV on Saturday night.

A spokesman went on: “Overnights no longer provide an accurate picture of all those who watch in an on-demand world.”

The BBC recently said the number of people using its catch-up service was increasing by 11 per cent a year.

An Ofcom report this year showed that the number of young people watching TV in the traditional way had fallen from 76 per cent to 48 per cent in the last six years.

a man and woman are dancing in front of a sign that says toy shop

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola finished in joint second[/caption]

a woman in a white robe and a woman in a red suit stand next to each other on a stage

Host Claudia Winkleman drew plenty of comments for wearing a gown that had viewers comparing her to Princess Leia[/caption]

Claudia wore a similar dress to Carrie Fisher’s iconic character

Blow, but show still dazzles

IF THERE’S ever a measure of the changing fortunes of Strictly — for better or worse — it’s the first live show of every series.

It’s the “business end” of the contest, second only in importance to the final.

In contrast, the launch show is just an introduction where none of the competitors actually dance.

There’s a reason why it’s considered by the Beeb to be “week one”, because it’s at this point that things really start to matter.

Which is why there’ll be some serious agonising over Saturday’s figures, and a few prayers they’ll make up the shortfall on iPlayer.

If not, then it either means the show has lost its shine, or it remains in the long shadow cast by bullying claims.

But anyone who watched Saturday’s show will be hoping it isn’t the beginning of the end.

With a mix of sexy glamour, inspiring dedication and some serious laughs, Strictly reminded us why it’s been such a huge hit for over 20 years.

Keep everything crossed that it still has a glittering future ahead of it.

But, make no mistake, this could be a watershed moment.

By Rod McPhee

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.