Strictly launch's lowest EVER viewing figures are attributed to lacklustre ...

Strictly's launch night scored its lowest ever viewing figures on Saturday - with the low numbers said to be down to good weather, line-up and anti-vaxx controversy.  

The BBC show attracted an audience of 7.2 million viewers for the inaugural show over the weekend, and while those numbers remain broadly impressive, they still represent a significant drop from last year's 8.6 million.

While insiders remain positive over a rise when live shows return, prior to the launch airing fans insisted they were less than impressed with the line-up and Covid claims surrounding the show, while sources said the good weather was to blame.  

The launch night audience reached its peak in 2016, with a viewership of 9.3 million, while 2017 rang in 8.8 million, followed by 8.1 million in 2018, just under eight million tuning in 2019 and then last year's 8.6 million.   

A source said: '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.'

This year's line-up features stars including Robert Webb, Tilly Ramsay, Judi Love, Tom Fletcher, Sara Davies and Adam Peaty. 

Prior to the show, fans took to Twitter to detail their thoughts on the show, with some voicing dismay over the line-up and insisting they were less than impressed. A fan penned: 'Not watching strictly this year because the cast is awful # self care'. 

Other users grumbled over the absence of Janette Manrara and insisted the show peaked with last year's winner Bill Bailey. 

The Twitter users in question penned: 'Why is janette not dancing this year? I love watching her. It’s not the same on ITT... I'm not even watching it this year, Bill was peak Strictly for me, cannot be beaten'. 

Another claim was that the weather was a key factor in explaining the figures.

The TV source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: 'Lots of people had been out and about enjoying the early autumn sunshine and will probably watch on catch-up today.'

Other concerns surround the news of a 'no jab, no jive' row, over the refusal of two of its dancers to be vaccinated.

Leading figures from the worlds of medicine and entertainment urged the professionals to 'reconsider their positions' as the row threatened to overshadow last night's opening show of the new series.

One unnamed professional dancer is already isolating after a positive Covid-19 test, with reports that their celebrity partner might be paired with another dancer.

And there are fears an outbreak could jeopardise the BBC's flagship show, which is set to welcome back hundreds of people into its studio audience.

A source said: 'The dancers who won't get vaccinated have been a topic of conversation with cast and crew for weeks – even before the positive test.'

One fan took to Twitter to pen: 'The BBC should pull Strictly Come Dancing and make it clear it is not prepared to put the safety of the entire team on the line because of a couple of anti-vaxxers. I can't think of a more powerful way to drive home the message that vaccination of one promotes the safety of all.' 

Meanwhile, Craig Revel Horwood has tipped John Waite and Johannes Radebe to win this year's 'Strictly'.

The duo have formed the first ever all-male pairing on the show, and Craig views them as the frontrunners in this year's competition.

He said: 'I've been championing this for five years and finally it has come to fruition. They look like they're going to be a couple to beat.

'I really want to see them do an Argentine tango together. I think it will be absolutely fierce.'

Despite this, Craig thinks they will face tough competition from

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