PALIN MITENK BLOG

By Paul Revoir

Revamped: But Strictly Come Dancing failed to pull in the viewers and was soundly beaten by The X Factor in the Saturday night ratings


There was a glitzy new studio, a higher calibre of celebrity and a string of new professional dancers.

But Strictly Come Dancing's expensive revamp was not enough to beat The X Factor in the Saturday night ratings war.

The opening night of the BBC show drew almost four million fewer viewers than its ITV rival.

According to overnight figures seen by the Daily Mail, The X Factor was watched by an average of 10.5million while Strictly managed 6.8million.

Although BBC bosses decided to avoid a head-on clash this year so viewers can watch both programmes, Strictly was still watched by fewer people than last year's first Saturday show, which was seen by 7.7million.

This year the BBC changed the format of the launch show. Instead of the first round of the competition, viewers saw the celebrities introduced to their dance partners, as well as several routines by the professional troupe.


Awaiting their partners: The male professionals joke as they wait to see who they have been paired up with, a new addition for the 2010 series


Strictly professional: The ladies take their turn to see which male celebrities they will team up with


Strictly started at 6.25pm, while The X Factor began at 7.45pm, seen as a much more ratings-friendly Saturday night slot.

But BBC chiefs had hoped a line-up including Gavin Henson, Ann Widdecombe, Pamela Stephenson and Felicity Kendal would increase viewing figures.

Perhaps mercifully, Miss Widdecombe has told Strictly bosses that there will be no dirty dancing from her.

The former Conservative minister has given the BBC a set of demands including no immodest outfits, no spray tans and no racy routines with partner Anton Du Beke.


Attitude: Bun nd Cheese were put through by Simon Cowell during Saturday's X Factor auditions


Hands up if you have the bigger ratings: Simon Cowell and fellow judges during Saturday's episode


Yesterday the 62-year-old said: 'It was terribly straightforward and they were perfectly amenable to it. I just said right at the start and got my agent to make it quite clear in writing that I would not do anything that I considered to be immodest and I wouldn't wear anything that would be too revealing.'

A BBC spokesman claimed the Corporation was happy with the opening night viewing figures and said the show had 'got off to a great start'.

But the new format got mixed reviews from fans on the BBC's website.

Some claimed it had become too glitzy and American in style and claimed the pairings of celebrities and professional dancers were predictable.

Last year Strictly's viewing figures were roundly beaten by The X Factor.


source: dailymail