The Autumn TV schedule proved to be in full swing as the nation’s two favourite Saturday night stalwart’s went head-to head for the first time this year.
And it has been revealed that Strictly Come Dancing waltz it’s way to the top of the rating battle on Saturday night with 10.2million tuning in to the series premiere – nearly double the amount of viewers as rival The X Factor.
With Shirley Ballas stepping into former head judge Len Goodman’s shoes, viewers were hooked to their TV screens to watch the new 15 celebrity recruits showcase their twinkle toes compared to Simon Cowell’s long-running singing contest.
Winning: It has been revealed that Strictly Come Dancing waltz it’s way to the top of the rating battle on Saturday night with 10.2million tuning in to the series premiere – nearly double the amount of viewers as rival The X Factor
The season debut – which lasted 140-minutes – held the majority of the audience with ITV’s X Factor bringing in 5.4million in comparison.
Unfortunately for the vocal talent show, the 45-minute overlap of the two shows cost the singing contest 1.5million viewers in comparison to the previous week’s figures.
Speaking to The Sun, a Strictly source said: ‘The figures are better than anyone had hoped for. The show is getting bigger and bigger. The competition with The X Factor is well and truly won.’
:Uh oh With Shirley Ballas stepping into former head judge Len Goodman’s shoes, viewers were hooked to their TV screens to watch the new 15 celebrity recruits showcase their twinkle toes compared to Simon Cowell’s long-running singing contest (Simon pictured above)
Losing out: Unfortunately for the vocal talent show, the 45-minute overlap of the two shows cost the singing contest 1.5million viewers in comparison to the previous week’s figures
The ratings win come after a jam-packed night in the ballroom with 2017 new class of celebrity dancers.
He insisted he ‘doesn’t believe’ in the Strictly Come Dancing curse, after being partnered with Ukrainian Playboy model Nadiya Bychkova on the show.
But Davood Ghadami set tongues wagging when he pulled off a ‘smoking hot’ cha cha with the 28-year-old blonde beauty during the BBC One contest’s hotly-anticipated first live show.
Getting close: Davood Ghadami set tongues wagging on Saturday night when he pulled off a ‘smoking hot’ cha cha with Playboy model Nadiya Bychkova during the first live show
As host Claudia Winkleman reminded the married father-of-two, 35, that his wife Isobel was watching in the audience, the EastEnders actor laughed sheepishly and quipped that it was ‘a bit awkward’.
Not to be outdone, Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson put on a passionate performance with professional Aljaz Skorjanec – while Debbie McGee, 58, surprised her young partner Giovanni Pernice by planting a shock smacker on his lips.
Dancing to Fergie’s Be Italian, the conjuror’s assistant also caught the eye with an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction as she flashed her underwear while dramatically swishing her thigh-split skirt.
Raunchy: New head judge Shirley said: ‘Well first of all I’d like to say what a way to open the series. You brought your cheeky cha cha cha!’
Legs for days: Elsewhere Debbie McGee shocked viewers with her flexibility as she pulled off the splits and high kicks during a showstopping paso doble with Giovanni Pernice
She left the judges awestruck, with Craig declaring she danced ‘like a 20-year-old, while a baffled Darcey added: ‘You’re on fire’.
Shirley rounded off the praise by saying ‘You’ve got it all, outstanding’ and their comments were reflected in a very impressive score of 30 points.
Meanwhile Mollie King and her partner AJ Pritchard danced an impressive jive to ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’.
While Holby City actress Chizzy Akudolu and Pasha Kovalev roared through a sexy cha cha and left judges more than impressed.
Alexandra Burke broke down in tears after performing an emotional waltz to her late mother’s favourite song.
Dancing shoes on: King looked every inch the Strictly star in her thigh-grazing dress and gold heels
Not great? Bruno suggested she ‘work on her partnership and don’t flap your arms’ while Craig said it was ‘flat-footed, blocky and awkward but you had fantastic rhythm’
She performed the dance with partner Gorka Marquez to Aretha Franklin’s Natural Woman – one month after her singer mum Melissa Bell’s death.
And it all became too much for Alexandra, as she burst into tears in Gorka’s arms at the end of the routine.
Speaking during rehearsals, she said: ‘This is a song that my mum always made me sing, it’s just making me nervous because I’m so emotional about it.’ And at the end of the dance, it all became too much for the singer as she burst into tears in Gorka’s arms.
Shirley praised her dance, saying: ‘I can see that this dance meant something to you, I got carried away with the emotion.
Overwhelmed: Talking to Claudia, she said: ‘It’s really overwhelming. I’m so grateful for you Gorka, thank you so much’
Tough time: Melissa was just 53 years old when she passed away last month after a nine-year battle with kidney failure, which was brought on by diabetes
Not her night: Meanwhile Ruth Langsford and Anton du Beke ended up bottom of the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ leaderboard as the show returned to screens
Meanwhile Ruth Langsford and Anton du Beke ended up bottom of the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ leaderboard as the show returned to screens.
Joint bottom of the leaderboard was Brian Conley and Amy Dowden, who tangoed their way to 16 points, landing them just behind Reverend Richard Coles, who arrived on the dancefloor on top of a cloud whilst playing the harp.
When asked for his comments, Craig said: ‘All the problems really began darling when the cloud actually landed.’ And when asked if there was anything else he wanted to say, he added: ‘There isn’t enough time darling.’
Superstar: It was Aston Merrygold who topped the leaderboard, impressing with an untraditional foxtrot to ‘It Had To Be You’ and was labelled ‘one to watch’ by the judges
Banter: The couple seemed pleased with their routine, with Tess praising his ‘facial choreography’ although Brian quipped he was surprised at that because he was ‘full of Botox’
Elegant: Twirling around the floor to When I Need You by Luther Vandross, the athlete left judges impressed with his ‘endearing’ and ‘very sweet’ moves – winning him 20 points
Paralympic sprinter Jonnie Peacock was partnered with Oti and showed off his athlete potential by leaping over a desk in the waltz.
It was Aston Merrygold who impressed with an nontraditional foxtrot to ‘It Had To Be You’ and was labelled ‘one to watch’ by the judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli, Darcey Bussell and head judge Shirley Ballas.
Meanwhile Holby City actor Joe McFadden topped the leaderboard as he performed a rocking jive with Katya Jones to Rockin’ Robin by Michael Jackson.
Pleased: Bruno said ‘very good for week one, well done’ while beaming Craig added ‘three words: I… like… you’ and awarded a rare 7