STRICTLY Come Dancing’s ratings for its Saturday night launch hit an all-time low following the abuse scandal.
Many were watching to see if hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly would mention the crisis surrounding the alleged behavior of former show pros Graziano di Prima and Giovanni Pernice.
5
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman made no mention of the recent Strictly scandals during Saturday night’s premiere show
5
Towie’s Pete Wicks is paired with Jowita PrzystalCredit: BBC
5
Tasha Ghouri was partnered with professional Aljaz Skorjanec Credits: PA
However, the BBC One program had a peak audience of just 5.7 million – a million down on the same show last year and 3.3 million down on 2020’s peak audience of 9 million.
The only other Strictly show to have such poor ratings was in 2022 when it was forced to run on a Friday night due to the Queen’s death and peaked at 5.6 million viewers.
A TV insider said: “The Beeb’s worst fear was a scandal that would turn viewers away, and that seemed to come true on Saturday night.
“Even with the extra people watching to see if Tess and Claudia would say anything, it was a pretty disappointing number for the premiere show.
“Now they’ll be hoping and praying there’s a turnaround when the live shows start next week and then the celebs are kicked out a week later.
“But with the results of the Giovanni investigation still hanging over the corporation, it will be difficult for Strictly fans to fully embrace the new series.
“The debacle couldn’t have happened at a worse time as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.”
A brilliant ride could not hide pro absences
It was a spectacular idea to start the Saturday show with a huge party bus that will bring all the professionals to the studio.
But two of the show’s biggest stars weren’t present at the grand opening.
And it was impossible to forget why.
Maybe the bus was supposed to be a message from the bosses to take the pros away and try to move on.
Less smart was the decision to break down.
Perhaps, like the show itself, the wheels have started to come off.
Author: Rod McPhee
Giovanni, 34, left the show earlier this year at the start of an investigation into his backstage behavior towards Amanda Abbington, with whom he was paired last year.
It has yet to be concluded, but the findings are expected to be released soon.
Then Graziano, 30, was fired after footage emerged of him allegedly kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott at rehearsals in 2023.
Strictly Come Dancing fans are furious after realizing THREE favorite pros have been ‘axed’ for the 2024 series.
But neither Tess nor Claudia mentioned the scandals on Saturday night’s show.
5
The opening night had its biggest audience of just 5.7 million – a million fewer than the same show last yearCredit: BBC
5
The BBC fears the recent controversy has turned viewers away from the seriesCredit: BBC
Pete’s outlook changes again
Author: Rod McPhee
TOWIE legend Pete Wicks nearly halved his odds from 16/1 to 9/1 when he was revealed to be in a Strictly duo with Jowita Przystal.
But former JLS star JB Gill is his favorite to win after being paired with Amy Dowden, who has made a comeback from cancer.
Ladbrokes have given him odds of 7/2.
The second favorite, with 4/1, is Tasha Ghouri, who was paired with Aljaz Skorjanec.
Christmas Strictly winner Jamie Borthwick’s odds have dropped from 4/1 to 5/1 after being paired with Michelle Tsiakkas.
It was the same story for Shayne Ward after he was paired with Nancy Xu.
Sam Quek’s odds rose from 6/1 to 7/1 as she landed pro Nikita Kuzmin.
But Montell Douglas’ odds have risen to 8/1 from 12/1 after pairing with Johannes Radebe.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education