Just to say that Alesha isn't a judge on TXF, in case some people think she moved from SCD to TXF (she left SCD to be a judge on Britain's Got Talent).

I think you are right. Although it's true that Alesha didn't move to X-Factor, I agree that Darcey is a much better judge and, at the very least, Cowell's strike didn't do any damage to the show.

I think most people are aware that Alesha is a judge on BGT. The point is that Simon made it "headlines" and gave the impression it was "the beginning of the end" for SCD. When he should have been concentrating on why TXF was losing viewers. Getting "Alesha" was just a cheap headline which was used as a distraction from the bigger issues surrounding TXF (and to a certain extent BGT). If anything it showed how out of touch Simon was/is with the GBP as most fans of SCD were relieved that she went. As a lover of both SCD and TXF I know exactly when I stopped believing the "hype" and started watching Merlin instead of turning over to TXF as soon as SCD had finished.

To a degree all these reality programmes are manipulated so that they get the winner they want. What viewers don't like is when we can see that the wool is being pulled over our eyes. Simon and the producers grew complacent and are now paying the price for their shameful arrogance.

I don't know why this fact should be so important to the BBC and it shouldn't matter at all to those who watch either programme.

This mania for chasing ratings, is responsible for the progressive dumbing down of this show.

Still it is on BBC1 isn't it?
So we shouldn't be surprised.

Spot on!

The dumbing down is obviously working by attracting new viewers.Someone must be finding the ridiculous VT's funny as judging by the overwhelming majority on DS, it aint us diehard STD fans.

Strictly is doing amazing! Does anybody know its highest ever ratings? As in average and peak.

I always think with strictly, any routine can be interesting to watch, whether its for the right or wrong reasons. With X factor there's too much fodder to sit through until an 'ok-ish' act comes along!

As my post said, I was just clarifying that Alesha didn't move to TXF as plenty of people on here don't watch it. No criticism was intended.

Thats what I thought.

Ratings significantly down last night. Strictly's saturday rating for the last few weeks:

Date..... avg ..... .. peak

01-Dec... 9.89... 11.05
24-Nov... 10.25... 11.55
17-Nov... 10.33.. 11.45
10-Nov... 10.40... 11.60
03-Nov... 9.82... 10.77
27-Oct... 9.60... 10.80

Still walloped everything else mind you. But I am wondering if Victoria's exit last week had anything to do with the drop. I think she was the shows biggest draw this year.

Hmmm, ITV's vote for the worst policy is working nicely. It is their policy, isn't it?

Wonder whether Bruce is the cause for the drop. Or the lack of content, or just all the Christmas dos starting up.

The changes don't look all that significant to me.

Oho look at the ratings last night!

Strictly Come Dancing:
Average: 10.75m (45.3%)
Peak: 12.19m (49.0%) at 19:45

Details are on the ratings thread in UK shows.


Strictly walloped the X-factor final! And it was Strictly's best performance this season. The BBC must be pretty happy with that.