Sunday 25 September 2022 08:23 PM Strictly Come Dancing's first live show ratings drop by more than a million on ... trends now
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The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of 6.8 million viewers, according to overnight ratings.
This was a drop in viewing figures from 2021's first live show which was watched by an average 7.9 million.
Saturday marked the first competition night of the popular show with 15 couples battling it out on the dance floor, which attracted a peak of 7.2 million viewers, the BBC has said.
Dipping down: The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of 6.8 million viewers, according to overnight ratings (Will Mellor and his professional partner Nancy Xu pictured on show)
Viewing numbers were also down for the show's launch episode on Friday which saw the celebrity contestants paired up with their professional partners.
It was watched by an average of 5.4 million viewers, with a peak audience of 5.6 million.
While last year's series launch received an average of 7.0 million viewers, peaking at 7.3 million.
The BBC declined to comment on viewing figures.
New figures: This was a drop in viewing figures from 2021's first live show which was watched by an average 7.9 million (Fleur East and her professional partner Vito Coppola pictured on show)
This year's launch show was due to air on Saturday September 17 but was postponed due to schedule changes ahead of the Queen's funeral. Instead the BBC showed the launch just a day before the first live show.
Saturday's show saw actor Will Mellor and wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin place joint top of the leaderboard, both achieving an impressive score of 34 in week one.
Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps star Mellor performed an electric jive to Livin' La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin with his partner Nancy Xu which impressed judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas so much that they gave him a standing ovation.
Born to perform: Saturday marked the first competition night of the popular show with 15 couples battling it out on the dance floor, which attracted a peak of 7.2 million viewers (Richie Anderson (front) pictured with his professional partner Giovanni Pernice on show)
Yassin and his partner Jowita Przystal also dazzled with their joyful foxtrot to Islands In The Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers to secure their top mark.
Britain's Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford and new professional Carlos Gu came in third with a score of 31 for their energetic samba.
Following their routine to Kiss My (Uh Oh) by Anne Marie and Little Mix, Mabuse described the singer and actress as a 'shooting star'.
Dance competition: Viewing numbers were also down for the show's launch episode on Friday which saw the celebrity contestants paired up with their professional partners (Kym Marsh and her professional partner Graziano Di Prima pictured on show)
Singer Fleur East and new professional Vito Coppola took fourth place, with a score of 29, for their electric cha cha cha to Let's Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez which closed out the show.
The 20th series also features two same-sex pairings, among them reigning champion Giovanni Pernice and BBC Radio 2's Richie Anderson who delivered an energetic cha cha cha to I'm Your Man by Wham! for their
