Strictly Come Dancing returned to screens for its 2021 run on Saturday evening - drawing in 7 million viewers and peaking at 7.3 million.
While the number seems far from paltry, this was in fact the BBC's powerhouse series' least-watched 'pairing up' show since its inception.
The episode sees the pro dancers partnered up with their celebrity contestant for the first time, and was introduced as part of the format in 2010.
Record low: Strictly Come Dancing returned to screens for its 2021 run on Saturday evening - drawing in 7 million viewers and peaking at 7.3 million
The most-watched pairing show took place in 2016, with 9.3 million tuning in. Last year, 8.6 watched, while 2019 saw 7.8 million glued to their TV screens. The first-ever pair up episode, 11 years ago, drew 8.7 million.
As writes The Mirror, a TV source blamed the clement September weather, saying: 'Lots of people had been out and about enjoying the early autumn sunshine and will probably watch on catch-up today.
'The ratings are sure to pick up once the live shows start next weekend, and viewers get to see whether the celebs can actually dance – or not.'
The viewing figures don't presently take into account those watching on catch-up or on the BBC iPlayer.
![Tuning in: While the number seems far from paltry, this was in fact the BBC's powerhouse series' least-watched 'pairing up' show since its inception [pictured hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/19/19/48111201-10006777-image-a-102_1632075536038.jpg)
Tuning in: While the number seems far from paltry, this was in fact the BBC's powerhouse series' least-watched 'pairing up' show since its inception [pictured hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly]
As writes The Mirror , a TV source blamed the clement September weather, saying: 'Lots of people had been out and about enjoying the early autumn sunshine and will probably watch on catch-up today'
The opening episode was certainly still one to remember, with two monumental pairings - the first all-male coupling, and the first deaf contestant introduced to the show in it's lengthy run.
John Whaite, 32, and Johannes Radebe, 34, were unveiled as the first all-male pairing while Shirley Ballas, 61, Craig Revel Horwood, 56, and Motsi Mabuse, 40, alongside the newest addition to the panel, Strictly's longest-serving professional dancer Anton Du Beke, 55, took their places at the judging desk.
Tess Daly, 52, and Claudia Winkleman, 49, returned to the ballroom for the launch, which opened with a sensational group performance from the professional dancers.
Amazing! On Saturday night, John Whaite and Johannes Radebe were unveiled as the first all-male pairing as the 2021 series of the BBC competition kicked off in style
Finding out who his professional partner would be, John entered to find someone hiding inside a life-size cake, from which Johannes then sprang.
'When I saw a big sparkly cake I knew that it had to be Johannes!' admitted John, before gushing about taking part in Strictly, asserting: 'It's a massive honour this!'
He told Johannes that he would put in the work needed, and told his new dance partner: 'I want to have hips like Shakira by the time we've finished.'
John told viewers of their pairing: 'We're gonna be fierce, we're gonna be sassy, we're gonna set that dance floor on fire!'
Surprise! Finding out who his professional partner would be, John entered to find someone hiding inside a cake, from which Johannes then sprang
Wow! Drenched in sequins, the launch show began with talented professional dancers glittering across the ballroom
It's time! The Strictly Come Dancing 2021 celebrities were each paired up with a professional dancer
John Whaite admitted in his confessional 'I've made it now' as he about how excited he was to secure a place on Strictly.
Explaining his passion for being glammed up, he admitted: 'I once went into school with fake tan and was given a scourer to take it off.'
Drenched in sequins, the launch show began with talented professional dancers glittering across the ballroom before the show's hosts and judging panel made glamorous entrances.
Host Tess sat atop a plastic white horse while dressed in a crisp white strapless jumpsuit as her blonde tresses billowed in the breeze.
Claudia launched a sparkling confetti from a cannon while clad in a jaw-dropping black sequin number.
The judges in turn gave some sass as they posed for the camera before making their way to the judging table.
TOM FLETCHER & AMY DOWDEN
Celebrity's Age: 36
Profession: McFly musician
Tom says: 'I’m so pleased the news is out it’s been so hard keeping it secret. Equal parts excited and terrified.'
Fun fact: Tom's McFly bandmate Harry Judd won Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. Tom's wife Giovanna Fletcher is the reigning champion of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
ROBERT WEBB & DIANNE BUSWELL
Celebrity's Age: 48
Profession: Actor and comedian
Robert says: 'It's very exciting but with a slight undertone of quivering terror.'
Fun Fact: Robert squeezed into a shiny leotard to take the title of Let's Dance For Comic Relief in 2009, performing What A Feeling from '80s film Flashdance, beating the likes of Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness to the title.
RHYS STEPHENSON & NANCY XU
Celebrity's Age: 27
Profession: CBBC presenter
Rhys says: 'I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation'
Fun fact: Rhys has been an actor since the age of ten, performing alongside Matt Smith and Hugh Bonneville.
KATIE MCGLYNN & GORKA MARQUEZ
Celebrity's Age: 28
Profession: Actress
Katie says: 'I'm really not a dancer, but I'm so excited to learn a new skill on this crazy journey and cannot wait to slip into some sequins along the way.'
Fun fact: Katie, who played Sinead Tinker in Corrie, won a NTA for Best Serial Drama Performance in 2020.
TILLY RAMSAY & NIKITA KUZMIN
Celebrity's Age: 19
Profession: CBBC presenter
Tilly says: ’I'm going to put my heart and soul into this and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!'
Fun fact: Tilly's father is celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the pair often star in dancing TikTok videos.
NINA WADIA & NEIL JONES
Celebrity's Age: 52
Profession: Actress
Nina says: 'I think I should do this before I’m too old and can’t walk anymore. I just want to grab life by the horns and just enjoy it.'
Fun fact: Nina is a JDRF Ambassador and was awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours List.
ADAM PEATY & KATYA JONES
Celebrity's Age: 26
Profession: Athlete
Adam says: 'I'm really looking forward to doing something totally different and challenging myself away from the pool.'
Fun fact: Adam becoming the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title at Tokyo 2020.
UGO MONYE & OTI MABUSE
Celebrity's Age: 38
Profession: Rugby player and sports pundit
Ugo says: 'What a dream come true! Strictly is the biggest entertainment show on TV and I can’t wait to show everyone I’ve got more than just dad dancing moves.
Fun fact: Beginning his rugby career at Harlequins in 2002, Ugo went on to make 241 appearances for the club where he scored 89 tries, won a Premiership and made his England debut in 2008.
AJ ODUDU & KAI WIDDRINGTON
Celebrity's Age: 33
Profession: TV presenter
AJ says: 'I think it's going to be really challenging. I can't wait for the sequins, the wigs, the glitz and the glamour.'
Fun Fact: Apocalypse Wow hosts AJ has featured on a whopping 14 TV shows this year, competing in the likes oF Cooking With The Stars and Celebrity Karaoke Club. She has appeared as a panelist on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two in the past, too.
JOHN WHAITE & JOHANNES RADEBE
Celebrity's Age: 33
Profession: Great British Bake Off Winner and TV chef
John says: 'I'm so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family... I've been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can't wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth'
Fun Fact: The duo are the first ever all-male partnering - the first in 17 years of the show.
SARA DAVIES & ALJAZ SKORJANEC
Celebrity's Age: 37
Profession: Businesswoman
Sara says: 'I'm really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance... Truth be told – I haven't got a clue! I've not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little.'
Fun fact: Sara was the youngest ever dragon on BBC show Dragons' Den.
DAN WALKER & NADIYA BYCHKOVA
Celebrity's Age: 44
Profession: Journalist
Dan says: 'I'm enjoying the experience when it starts of learning to dance. I'll be honest I'm not making room on any shelves in my house for the glitterball.'
Fun fact: Dan recently quit Football Focus after 12 years at the helm and has been covering Tokyo Olympics.
GREG WISE & KAREN HAUER
Celebrity's Age: 55
Profession: Actor
Greg says: 'It's about being out there and exposing yourself as someone who can't dance, and learning.'
Fun fact: Greg is married to the actress Emma Thompson who he met while filming Sense and Sensibility.
ROSE AYLING-ELLIS & GIOVANNI PERNICE
Celebrity's Age: 30
Profession: Actress
Rose says: 'I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill.'
Fun fact: Rose will make history as Strictly's first deaf contestant.
JUDI LOVE & GRAZIANO DI PRIMA
Celebrity's Age: 41
Profession: Comedienne
Judi says: 'I’m truly looking forward to pushing myself in something that I could have only dreamed of doing and now it’s actually coming true!'
Fun fact: Judi began comedy when she performed a set in front of her class for a degree module.
Advertisement
Here he is! Anton Du Beke, 55, took his place on the judging panel alongside returning judges Shirley Ballas, 61, Craig Revel Horwood , 56, and Motsi Mabuse , 40
Loving it! The Strictly stalwart put on a pair of sunglasses while clad in a sleek tux
Ahead of the launch of the new series, it was revealed that two professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing have refused to get Covid jabs, leaving some contestants reluctant to pair with them.
The pair are reportedly the only two pro dancers out of 18 who have not been vaccinated for the BBC hit show, and their identities have not been revealed.
BBC bosses are said to now be fearful that there could be a larger outbreak among those participating in the show.
A source told The Sun that if a 'proper outbreak' led to 'half the cast' contracting Covid-19, it would be 'curtains' for the show.
They added: 'Strictly already has to jump through hoops just to be able to broadcast. The dancers who won't get vaccinated have been a topic of conversation among cast and crew for weeks — even before the positive test.
'There were vocal protests from celebrities that they didn't want to be paired with them. It's a headache for bosses but employers cannot force workers to get jabbed.'
Wow! Strictly returned with a glittering show opener performed by the professional dancers
Golden girl: Luba Mushtuk was hoisted into the air while wearing a sequin tassel jumpsuit
An honour! Shirley opened by telling Tess and Claudia: 'I'm so excited. It's such an honour, such a privilege to be back here with everyone in this iconic ballroom'
On Saturday night, Shirley opened the launch show by telling Tess and Claudia: 'I'm so excited. It's such an honour, such a privilege to be back here with everyone in this iconic ballroom.
'I can't wait for everyone to see what we've got in store!'
Asked what it takes to win the glitterball Trophy, Anton pulled it up from by his side and joked: 'I don't really know. This is the closest I've ever come to this.
'They tell me hard work, listen to your partner and practice, practice, practice.'
Later, speaking to camera in a pre-recorded moment, he admitted: 'I hope they seat me on the opposite side to Craig. He's gonna be all rude and unpleasant and I'm gonna be lovely!'
