Strictly Come Dancing ratings take a hit amid backstage bullying allegations

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Strictly Come Dancing has experienced a ratings slump after allegations of backstage bullying surfaced, causing a significant headache for the BBC.Amidst these troubles, the broadcaster commenced an enquiry when Amanda Abbington alleged she had been on the receiving end of bullying by her ex-dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

Following the revelation, there was another blow to the show as Graziano Di Prima was axed after claims regarding his behaviour towards Zara McDermott became public.Consequently, viewer numbers for the episode broadcasted on Saturday [September 28], plummeted to 7.1 million, a decrease from the previous year's 7.8 million, intensifying concerns as figures had already waned following the series' opener the week prior.An insider told The Sun: "Strictly is still the most watched programme on a Saturday night - getting double the viewers of its nearest ratings rival.

And, although the number watching on catch-up is increasing, the BBC always prided itself on the fact that the dance show offered a shared experience." Furthermore, they remarked: "But it seems fewer and fewer people are now choosing to share it on a Saturday night.", reports the Mirror.This decline is evident, as the premiere of the public vote show on September 28, witnessed a viewing figure decline of more than 3.5 million since 2020, which saw the BBC show soar to 11.8 million viewers.Last week's episode of Strictly Come Dancing saw a peak of 6.7 million viewers, a drop from the previous year's 7.3 million.

This was before the allegations had reached their current fever pitch.The launch show reportedly drew in 5.7 million viewers, which, according to The Sun, is a million less than the same episode in 2023.