Viewing figures for Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show fall for the second year in a row, with the opening night of the competition watched by an average of 6.6 million people
The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of 6.6 million viewers on Saturday, according to overnight viewing figures.
This saw a decline for the second year in a row after the 2021 launch was watched by an average of 6.8 million viewers, while the 2021 show was watched by 7.9 million.
Saturday was the first competition night of the popular show, which saw 15 couples battle it out on the dance floor, peaking at 7.2 million viewers – similar to last year.
It comes after last week’s launch, which saw the celebrities meet their professional partners and saw viewing figures soar to their highest level since 2021, with an average of 6.1 million viewers.
This was a jump from last year, which had averaged 5.4 million viewers, and 7.9 million in 2021.
Dip: The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of 6.6 million viewers on Saturday, according to overnight viewing figures
Figures: This was a decline for the second year in a row after the 2021 launch was watched by an average of 6.8 million people, while the 2021 opening show was watched by 7.9 million people.
Last week’s launch attracted a peak of 6.7 million viewers, up from last year’s peak of 5.6 million.
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.
During the episode, Nigel Harman emerged as an early favorite to win the series as he topped the leaderboard in week one.
The 50-year-old actor was named ‘the one to beat’ by judge Shirley Ballas after performing an excellent pasodoble with dance partner Katya Jones.
The Casualty star danced to Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and received rave reviews from all four judges, receiving a score of 32 out of 40.
“That was the dance of the night,” exclaimed Craig Revel Horwood, while Motsi Mabuse added: “This at the end of the night was spectacular, amazing.”
Anton Du Beke also praised the actor and reminded the audience that it is not easy for the star who has to close the show.
Meanwhile, Amanda Abbington once again dismissed reports of a feud with professional partner Giovanni Pernice as they took to the dance floor for the first time.
Dancing shoes: Saturday was the first competition night of the hit show, which saw 15 couples battle it out on the dance floor, attracting a peak of 7.2 million viewers – similar to last year
Candidate: It comes after Nigel Harman emerged as an early favorite to win the series when he topped the leaderboard in the first week (pictured with pro Katya Jones)
The actress, 49, described the ballroom professional, 33, as “a little brother” in the pre-recorded VT and said she “loves him already” before admitting she hadn’t “picked things up as quickly as she wanted to.” during rehearsals.
Earlier on Saturday, Sherlock star Amanda shared a video on Instagram in which she dismissed rumors of clashes with Giovanni in a foul-mouthed rant.
It follows that she was ‘affected’ by his ‘militant and aggressive’ training style, with tensions escalating between the pair.
But Amanda hit back, saying she was ‘ignoring the bulls***’ as she insisted all was well between her and Giovanni.
Happy as Larry: Meanwhile, Amanda Abbington once again dismissed reports of a feud with professional partner Giovanni Pernice as they hit the dance floor for the first time
No sign of trouble: It follows she was ‘shocked’ by his ‘militant and aggressive’ training style, escalating tensions between the pair
The duo then took to the floor as they performed an elegant Viennese waltz to Lewis Capaldi’s Pointless, which earned a respectable 29 points from the judges.
Shirley said: ‘Your fluidity, your sensitivity, your beautiful styling, you have beautiful chemistry, I loved it.’
Anton advised Amanda to relax a bit, saying: ‘It was all wonderful, emotionally wonderful. I want you to breathe. If there were thirty seconds left, I think you might have passed out.”
The actress was supported from the audience by fiancé Jonathan Goodwin and 17-year-old son Joe, whom she shares with ex-partner Martin Freeman.
Jonathan was paralyzed for life in a tragic accident in October 2021, following a stunt in which he tried to escape from a straitjacket while hanging upside down ten meters in the air.