The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of 6.6M viewers on Saturday, according to overnight ratings.
This saw a drop for the second year in a row after the 2021 launch was watched by an average of 6.8M, while the 2021 show was seen by 7.9M.
Saturday marked the first competition night of the popular show with 15 couples battling it out on the dance floor, attracting a peak of 7.2 million viewers – on par with last year.
It comes after last week’s launch, where the celebs met their pro partners, saw it’s ratings climb to it’s highest since 2021 as an average of 6.1M viewers tuned in.
This was a jump from last year which saw an average of 5.4M viewers watching the very first show after 7.9M in 2021.
![Ratings for Strictly Come Dancing's First Live Show Decline for Second Consecutive Year, with Opening Competition Night Recording an Average Viewership of 6.6 Million 2 Dip: The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of 6.6M viewers on Saturday, according to overnight ratings](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/24/18/75784229-12555323-image-a-16_1695575352921.jpg)
Dip: The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of 6.6M viewers on Saturday, according to overnight ratings
![Ratings for Strictly Come Dancing's First Live Show Decline for Second Consecutive Year, with Opening Competition Night Recording an Average Viewership of 6.6 Million 4 Figures: This saw a drop for the second year in a row after the 2021 launch was watched by an average of 6.8M, while the 2021 opening show was seen by 7.9M](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/24/18/75784227-12555323-image-a-18_1695575464500.jpg)
Figures: This saw a drop for the second year in a row after the 2021 launch was watched by an average of 6.8M, while the 2021 opening show was seen by 7.9M
The launch attracted a peak of 6.7M viewers, while last year’s show drew an average of 5.4M ballroom fans, peaking at 5.6M.
MailOnline have contacted the BBC for comment.
During the episode Nigel Harman emerged as an early favourite to win the series as he as he topped the leaderboard during week one.
The actor, 50, was proclaimed by judge Shirley Ballas as ‘the one to beat’ after he performed an outstanding pasodoble with dance partner Katya Jones.
The Casualty star danced to Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and received universal praise from all four judges and received a score of 32 out of 40.
‘That was the dance of the night,’ proclaimed Craig Revel Horwood while Motsi Mabuse added: ‘This at the end of the night was spectacular, amazing.’
Anton Du Beke also praised the actor and reminded the audience it’s not easy for the star who has to close the show.
Meanwhile Amanda Abbington once again batted away reports of a feud with pro partner Giovanni Pernice as they took the dance floor for the first time.
![Ratings for Strictly Come Dancing's First Live Show Decline for Second Consecutive Year, with Opening Competition Night Recording an Average Viewership of 6.6 Million 6 Dancing shoes: 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 - on par with last year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/24/18/75765643-12555323-Hot_stuff_Later_in_the_show_Zara_McDermott_looked_nothing_short_-a-21_1695575802566.jpg)
Dancing shoes: 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 – on par with last year
![Ratings for Strictly Come Dancing's First Live Show Decline for Second Consecutive Year, with Opening Competition Night Recording an Average Viewership of 6.6 Million 8 Contender: It comes after Nigel Harman emerged as an early favourite to win the series as he as he topped the leaderboard during week one (picture with pro Katya Jones)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/23/21/75766439-12553365-image-a-3_1695500337226.jpg)
Contender: It comes after Nigel Harman emerged as an early favourite to win the series as he as he topped the leaderboard during week one (picture with pro Katya Jones)
The actress, 49, described the ballroom pro, 33, as being like ‘a little brother’ in the pre-recorded VT saying she ‘already loves him’ before admitting she hadn’t picked things up ‘as quickly as she wanted to’ during rehearsals.
Earlier on Saturday Sherlock star Amanda shared a video to Instagram where she rubbished the rumours of clashes with Giovanni in a foul-mouthed rant.
It follows claims she was ‘left shaken’ by his ‘militant and aggressive’ training style with tensions escalating between the pair.
But Amanda hit back saying she was ‘ignoring the bulls***’ as she insisted things are all good between her and Giovanni.
![Ratings for Strictly Come Dancing's First Live Show Decline for Second Consecutive Year, with Opening Competition Night Recording an Average Viewership of 6.6 Million 10 Happy as Larry: Meanwhile Amanda Abbington once again batted away reports of a feud with pro partner Giovanni Pernice as they took the dance floor for the first time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/24/18/75767443-12555323-image-a-22_1695575913860.jpg)
Happy as Larry: Meanwhile Amanda Abbington once again batted away reports of a feud with pro partner Giovanni Pernice as they took the dance floor for the first time
![Ratings for Strictly Come Dancing's First Live Show Decline for Second Consecutive Year, with Opening Competition Night Recording an Average Viewership of 6.6 Million 12 No sign of trouble: It follows claims she was 'left shaken' by his 'militant and aggressive' training style with tensions escalating between the pair](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/24/18/75767165-12555323-No_sign_of_trouble_Despite_the_rumours_the_pair_appeared_at_ease-a-23_1695575945382.jpg)
No sign of trouble: It follows claims she was ‘left shaken’ by his ‘militant and aggressive’ training style with tensions escalating between the pair
The duo then took to the floor as they performed an elegant Viennese waltz to to Pointless by Lewis Capaldi, which earned a respectable 29 points from the judges.
Shirley said: ‘Your fluidity, your sensitivity, your beautiful styling, you have this beautiful chemistry, I loved it.’
Anton advised Amanda to relax a little, saying: ‘It was all great, emotionally exquisite. I want you to breath, if there was another 30 seconds to go I think you may have passed out.’
The actress was supported from the audience by fiancé Jonathan Goodwin and 17-year-old son Joe, whom she shares with ex-partner Martin Freeman.
Jonathan was paralysed for life in a tragic accident in October 2021, following a stunt where he attempted to escape from a straight jacket while being hung upside down 30 feet in the air.