Strictly Come Dancing launch show ratings revealed as controversy swirls around series return

Strictly Come Dancing’s launch show ratings were revealed as the BBC’s long-running competition returned to screens on Saturday amid a wave of controversy surrounding the current series. Overnight figures show the pre-recorded episode, in which 15 celebrities met their pro partners and performed a group routine, attracting a peak audience of 5.6 million viewers and an average of 5.4 million across the 90-minute presentation. The BBC noted that the early numbers place Strictly well ahead of competing programs in its time slot, with the broadcaster adding that the overnight figure does not capture the full viewership in an increasingly on-demand world. "An overnight figure does not provide an accurate picture of all those who watch in an on-demand world, and Strictly is watched by millions on BBC iPlayer," a BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail. The launch again highlighted a large iPlayer share, with the previous year’s data indicating about a fifth of the audience watched via the streaming service.

The opening episode, which was pre-recorded, introduced the latest batch of stars and their professional partners and gave viewers a first look at this year’s lineup. The show’s timing is notable because it comes as Strictly navigates a season shadowed by controversy, including bullying claims and a drug probe, in addition to this year’s high-profile personal story involving Thomas Skinner. Skinner’s affair scandal and public scrutiny have dominated headlines in the weeks leading up to the launch, underscoring the elevated attention on the series as it returned to the BBC schedule. Dowden, who has been open about health setbacks, returns this year to partner with Skinner, a pairing that drew particular attention given Skinner’s recent personal history. Dowden was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, a detail that has added another layer to the public discussion around the cast.

In the social media aftermath of the launch, fans debated the Skinner–Dowden pairing and reflected on the broader controversy surrounding the series. While some viewers welcomed Dowden’s return and expressed support for her, others questioned the match-up given Skinner’s recent headlines. One reader wrote, “You deserved better,” while another commented, “I am gutted she’s got him on her first year back.” The public conversation continued as Skinner addressed the online responses, and as Peter Levy, a BBC News presenter who covers Look North, acknowledged mixed feelings about the pairing, posting sympathies for Dowden and signaling his own hopes for a successful competition.

The 2025 lineup spans a wide range of backgrounds, including Olympic athletes, actors, athletes, and reality television personalities. Notable participants listed for this season include Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Alex Kingston, Balvinder Sopal, La Voix, Thomas Skinner, Vicky Pattison, Karen Carney, George Clarke, Dani Dyer, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Ellie Goldstein, Chris Robshaw, Stefan Dennis, Ross King, and Lewis Cope. The breadth of backgrounds reflects the show’s ongoing aim of blending star power with diverse dance skills, even as the season unfolds amid ongoing questions about past and present off-screen conduct.

Analysts and fans will likely watch closely to see whether the ratings trajectory holds as the competition progresses. Last year’s launch drew strong viewership but finished below the 2022 level; this year’s figures show a continuation of competitive numbers, with the BBC underscoring that their multi-platform approach continues to broaden Strictly’s reach beyond traditional broadcasts. The conversation around the show’s controversies—ranging from workplace culture to personal conduct—adds a layer of scrutiny that markets the program differently as it moves through the season.

Overall, the launch results suggest that, despite the scandals that have surrounded the series, Strictly Come Dancing remains a major ratings driver for BBC, capable of drawing sizable audiences and generating robust social media and press attention as the competition enters its core phase. Viewers will now await the first elimination and the early judging, which will begin to shape perceptions of both the performances and the broader narrative around the show this year.