Strictly Come Watching! A record 10 million tune in to opening show... after rival series The X Factor suffered worst launch in a decade
It's being billed as the hottest series of Strictly Come Dancing yet.
And viewers of the opening show on Saturday night certainly seemed to agree, with a record 10 million tuning in.
Viewers were gripped as model Daisy Lowe was paired with previous winner Aljaz Skorjanec, Ed Balls with a 'fierce and fabulous' new Russian dancer, and presenter Laura Whitmore with newly single Giovanni Pernice.
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Popular: A record 10 million tuned in to watch Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night. Pictured: Daisy Lowe and Aljaz Skorjanec
The opener attracted an average of 9.3 million viewers and a peak of 10.1 million.
Nearly half of people watching TV (46 per cent) were watching Strictly as one in six of the UK population tuned in.
The figures are 600,000 up on last year, when an average of 8.7 million tuned in.
The 14th series of the ballroom dancing show, which beat The X Factor in the ratings last year, goes live in three weeks.
Record-breaking: Nearly half of people watching TV (46 per cent) were watching Strictly as one in six of the UK population tuned in
Boost: The figures are 600,000 up on last year, when an average of 8.7 million tuned in
The figures smashed the X Factor opening show last week which suffered its lowest launch ratings in 10 years, despite a revamp by Simon Cowell.
ITV's X Factor launch show last weekend was watched by 6.8 million (34 per cent share) with a peak of 7.5 million .
Saturday night's third X Factor episode was beaten by Strictly, although the rival shows were not broadcast at the same time.
The X Factor was watched by 8.3 million viewers (39 per cent) and peaked with 9.2 million - adding another 1.5 million viewers from the same episode last week.
The ITV show was broadcast after BBC1 show Strictly finished at 8pm.
ITV said the figures are up year on year - the third episode last year was watched by 7.7 million (35.3 per cent share).
Celebrity central: Ed Balls and Katya Jones appear on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing
Struggling: The figures smashed the X Factor opening show last week which suffered its lowest launch ratings in 10 years, despite a revamp by Simon Cowell
Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger have joined Cowell on this year's X Factor.
The BBC has not announced the schedules for the live Strictly shows yet.
Meanwhile, BBC bosses are investigating after the Strictly Come Dancing launch show was marred by sound issues.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'We are aware of a technical problem with sound on last night's show and are looking into the cause.'
Having a blast: ITV's launch show last weekend was watched by 6.8 million (34 per cent share) with a peak of 7.5 million
Jules Edwards wrote on Twitter: ' Has anyone else got poor sound quality on BBC1 please or is my TV knackered?!'
George W.W wrote: ' What's up with the sound? Thought it was one mic, then thought it was my TV but nope!'
Matthew Rimmer said: ' Anyone else got sound issues? Crackling and stuff? Is it live?'
@meggystar1 wrote: ' Have they got the work experience kid doing the sound on Strictly tonight? It's appalling.'
Chris Newport asked: ' What's happening to the sound on Strictly Come Dancing?'
The comments come after BBC dramas Happy Valley, starring Sarah Lancashire, and Jamaica Inn were also plagued by sound problems.
Cracking up: Meanwhile, BBC bosses are investigating after the Strictly Come Dancing launch show was marred by sound issues
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3773107/Strictly-Come-Dancing-starts-new-season-record-9-3m-viewers.html#ixzz4JNLefydv
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