Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show ratings drop by more than a million on last year
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The ratings for Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show have fallen by more than a million from last year, with the opening match night being watched by an average of 6.8 million people
- The first live show of the new series Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of 6.8 million viewers, according to nightly ratings
- This was a drop in ratings from the first live show of 2021, which averaged 7.9 million views
- Saturday was the first match night of the popular show with 15 couples competing on the dance floor, which peaked at 7.2 million viewers, according to the BBC.
- The ratings were also low for the show’s launch episode on Friday, which featured the celebrities along with their professional partners
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The first live show of the new Strictly Come Dancing series was watched by an average of 6.8 million viewers, according to nightly ratings.
This was a drop in ratings from the first live show of 2021 which averaged 7.9 million views.
Saturday was the first match night of the popular show with 15 couples competing on the dance floor, which peaked at 7.2 million viewers, according to the BBC.
Dipping down: The first live show of the new series Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of 6.8 million viewers, according to nightly ratings (Will Mellor and his professional partner Nancy Xu pictured on the show)
Viewing figures were also low for the show’s launch episode on Friday, which paired the celebrities along with their professional partners.
It was watched by an average of 5.4 million viewers, with a peak audience of 5.6 million.
While last year’s series launch attracted an average of 7.0 million viewers, peaking at 7.3 million.
The BBC declined to comment on ratings.
New numbers: This was a drop in ratings from the first live show of 2021 which averaged 7.9 million viewers (Fleur East and her professional partner Vito Coppola pictured on the show)
This year’s launch show was supposed to air on Saturday, September 17, but was postponed due to schedule changes ahead of the Queen’s funeral. Instead, the BBC showed the launch just a day before the first live show.
On Saturday’s show, actor Will Mellor and wildlife host Hamza Yassin topped the leaderboard together, both hitting an impressive 34 in week one.
Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps star Mellor performed an electric jive on Ricky Martin’s Livin’ La Vida Loca with his partner Nancy Xu, which impressed judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas so much that she gave him a standing ovation.
Born to perform: Saturday was the first game night of the popular show with 15 couples competing on the dance floor, which drew a peak of 7.2 million viewers (Richie Anderson (front) pictured with his professional partner Giovanni Pernice on the show)
Yassin and his partner Jowita Przystal also starred with their merry foxtrot to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’ Islands In The Stream to secure their top score.
Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford and new pro Carlos Gu came in third with a score of 31 for their energetic samba.
Following their routine on Anne Marie and Little Mix’s Kiss My (Uh Oh), Mabuse described the singer and actress as a “shooting star.”
Dance Competition: The ratings were also low for the show’s launch episode on Friday, with the celebrities along with their professional partners (Kym Marsh and her professional partner Graziano Di Prima pictured)
Singer Fleur East and new pro Vito Coppola took fourth place, with a score of 29, for their electric cha cha cha on Jennifer Lopez’s Let’s Get Loud, closing the show.
The 20th series also features two same-sex couples including reigning champion Giovanni Pernice and BBC Radio 2’s Richie Anderson who delivered an energetic cha cha cha to Wham’s I’m Your Man! for their first routine.
Comedian and actor Jayde Adams and professional Karen Hauer are the second female same-sex couple on the show, following in the footsteps of Katya Jones and Olympic gold medalist boxer Nicola Adams, who were paired in 2020.
Adams and Hauer received a standing ovation from judges Mabuse and Ballas after performing a lively samba routine for Dirrty by Christina Aguilera with Redman, giving them a score of 23.
Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Who are the couples?
HELEN SKELTON AND GORKA MARQUEZ
Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez
Age of celebrities: 39
Profession: TV and radio channel
Helen says: ‘I’m really looking forward to throwing myself into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started”
ELLIE SIMMONDS AND NIKITA KUZMIN
Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Guzman
Age of celebrities: 27
Profession: former athlete
Ellie says: “Being asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I can’t wait, it’s going to be so much fun.”
ELLIE TAYLOR AND JOHANNES RADEBE
Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe
Age of celebrities: 38
Profession: Comedian
Ellie says: ‘Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I’m over the moon to be part of Strictly 2022!’
FLEUR EAST AND VITO COPPOLA
Fleur East and Vito Coppola
Age of celebrities: 34
Profession: Singer
fleur says: “I’m just as nervous and excited to be part of this year’s Strictly lineup. I’m excited to learn new skills and want to soak up every moment of this magical experience.”
JAMES DAY AND AMY DOWDEN
James bye and Amy Dowden
Age of celebrities: 38
Profession: EastEnders actor
James says: “I’m not known for my shimmy or my twinkling toes – in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing, but it’s an honor to be asked and I’m going to do my best.”
JAYDE ADAMS AND KAREN HAUER
Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer
Age of celebrities: 37
Profession: Comedian
Jayde says: “I’ve been a huge fan of the show for years. I feel like I’m looking at myself in a dream and I can’t believe I manifested this.’
TYLER WEST AND DIANNE BUSWELL
Tyler West and Dianne Buswell
Age of celebrities: 26
Profession: radio dj
Tyler says: “It’s a show that means so much to me and my family and I can’t wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a sequin side.”
HAMZA YASSIN AND JOWITA PRZYSTAL
Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Celebrities agoe: 35
Professionaln: Wildlife cameraman and presenter
hamza says: “I’m over the moon to participate in Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show.”
RICHIE ANDERSON AND GIOVANNI PERNICE
Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice
Age of celebrities: 34
Profession: radio host
Richie says: ‘This is a dream come true! I can’t wait to get into those glitters and sequins and swing across the most famous dance floor in the world!’
KYM MARSH AND GRAZIANO DI PRIMA
Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima
Age of celebrities: 46
Profession: Coronation Street star and presenter
Kym says: ‘I’m so glad they have this year! I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m leaving home in my pajamas watching actual dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress.”
MATT GOSS AND NADIYA BYCHKOVA
Matt Goss and Nadiya Bychkova
Age of celebrities: 53
Profession: Singer
Matt says: “I’m retired, I come and work and then go back to America. I thought it’s time for me to come home and get out of my own way’
MOLLY RAINFORD AND CARLOS GU
Molly Rainford and Carlos Gus
Age: 21
Profession: Singer
Mollie says: “I already know it’s going to be an experience of a lifetime and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Strictly family I’ll be sharing it with.”
WILL MELLOR AND NANCY XU
Will Mellor and Nancy Xu
Age of celebrities: 46
Profession: Actor
Will says: “I know it will be a huge challenge, but that’s what life is all about. This is also my mom’s favorite show and she’s been through some rough years, so I’m doing this for her too. Bring it on!’
TONY ADAMS AND KATYA JONES
Tony Adams and Katya Jones
Age of celebrities: 55
Profession: Retired footballer and manager
Tony says: “To say I’m excited is an understatement – the temptation of the sequins and the call of the salsa makes me swap my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly Soft ones.”
KAYE ADAMS AND KAI WIDDRINGTON
Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington
Celebrities are age: 59
Profession: Television host
Kaye says: “I said I wanted to make the last year of my fifties memorable and I can’t think of a better way to do that than show the world my two left feet. Pray for me!’