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Strictly Come Dancing‘s The figures show that the 2024 inaugural show was watched by almost a million fewer viewers than last year.
Overnight TV ratings show an average of 5.5 million viewers watched the return of the BBC One program from 7.20pm to 9pm, amid a cloud of controversy surrounding the professional dancers.
Viewing figures have fluctuated over the years, with more and more people watching on BBC iPlayer or catch-up TV, which is not covered by nightly figures.
The first episode was watched by a total of 6.2 million viewers Strictly in 2023, while the 2022 presentation averaged 5.4 million views. The pre-recorded 2021 launch show attracted seven million.
Top 5.7 million visitors who watched the launch show over the weekend; last year, the series drew a maximum of 6.7 million viewers during its first broadcast.
This year’s inaugural show not only gave viewers their first glimpse of the celebrity contestants’ dancing skills, but also celebrated fan-favorite professional dancer Amy Dowden’s emotional comeback after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
In the pre-recording episode, the Welsh dancer performed a stunning routine after being “disease-free” following a mastectomy and chemotherapy. She was seen as the central focus and ended up being lifted up by the other dancers.
She was also in a partnership for the first time since she was paired with EastEnders James Bye stars in 2022 and found her bump in 2023 just before the honeymoon. She will be dancing with JLS singer JB Gill.
The other 14 star contestants ranging from Island of love stars to Olympians and TV presenters, also met their professional partners for the first time. See the full breakdown of the dance pairings here.
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For the first time since 2019, there were no same-sex couples in the show.
A BBC spokesperson said that “strict pairing was never just a tick” and each season of the show was “unique and there is no hard and fast rule about same-sex pairings on the show”.
The show ended with a poignant tribute to former contestant Dave Myers and professional dancer Robin Windsor. TV chef Myers, best known for his work as one half of The Hairy Bikers, appeared on the show in 2013 with professional dancer Karen Hauer. In February of this year, he died of cancer at the age of 66.
The same month also marked the death of former British pro Windsor, who competed on the show for four series from 2010 to 2013. He was 44 years old.
The allegations that hit were not discussed on the show Strictly on its 20th anniversary.
The findings of the BBC investigation into the Giovanni Pernice allegations are not yet revealed until 2023. Strictly participant Amanda Abbington.
The Sherlock star was the first to publicly accuse of “inappropriate” behavior on the show, claiming she was exposed to a “toxic environment” while dancing alongside Pernice, who denies any wrongdoing and left the show.
Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima also left, saying he “didn’t mean to kick” his 2023 dance partner Zara McDermott and didn’t know where Island of love came the star’s accusations.
Check out the biggest talking points of 2024 Strictly run here.
Additional reporting by Press Association
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