According to overnight numbers, the first live broadcast of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing had a peak viewership of 7.2 million people, the same as last year.
Saturday was the first competition night of the famous programme, with 15 couples competing on the dancefloor, which was viewed by an average of 6.6 million people, compared to 6.8 million in 2022, and 7.9 million in 2021.
However, this year’s premiere show had an average of 6.2 million viewers, while the 2022 show received 5.4 million.
Last year’s premiere was scheduled to run on Saturday, September 17, but was pushed back owing to scheduling alterations in advance of the Queen’s burial. The BBC, on the other hand, aired the launch barely a day before the first live broadcast.
After closing the competition with a dramatic paso doble, soap actor Nigel Harman and pro partner Katya Jones were at the top of the scoreboard on Saturday’s broadcast.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood called his performance “the dance of the night,” while head judge Shirley Ballas predicted he would be “the one to beat.”
Bobby Brazier, who portrays Freddie Slater in the BBC serial, admitted that he had never watched Strictly before, but that didn’t stop him from impressing the judges and spectators with his first dance.
His father, Jeff, 44, was overcome with emotion and pride as he applauded for his eldest kid, whom he shares with late Big Brother star Jade Goody.
Amy Dowden made a surprise cameo during the first live broadcast of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday, leaving viewers in tears.
Unfortunately, the Welsh professional dancer, 33, will not be performing in Strictly this year due to breast cancer. She is getting chemotherapy right now.
Amy, on the other hand, has remained upbeat about her future on the dancefloor, and fans were given reason to cheer when she appeared unexpectedly in the new opening titles.
Professional dancers who do not have partners this year, such as Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, and Michelle Tsiakkas, feature in the final shot with some of their greatest movements.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC One.
