I thought next week's show was airing between 18.45 - 20.50 (apologies for the typing error above) which is 125 minutes long? Last night's show aired between 18.20 and 20.25... 125 minutes long.

The BBC is clearly not concerned in relation to a ratings battle with next week's scheduling, pushing Strictly back by 25 minutes and creating a 50 minute clash with The X Factor rather than the usual 25/30 minute one.

18.45 may be the cusp of when they can air the show from. Looking at next week's scheduling I wonder if they're thinking about it long term? As per above they could still fit in Match of the Day.

Have you people ever watched X Factor? Novelty acts happen, you've had 13 years to get over it. Viewers don't want boring!

If you don't want any eccentrics, there's a different singing show...which only got 4.5 million this year! Compared to X Factor's 10.1 million.

Jedward
Wagner

The X Factor has form for this, it's nothing new. Admittedly maybe it's time they try a different approach but...

I don't like slagging off anyone taking part in the shows either. Criticise their talent yes but calling them freaks (or indeed, using their sexuality to define them) isn't right IMO.

I usually stick up for the show but last night was verging on ridiculous Simon ousting better singers over looks and what on earth was Louis doing fair enough he takes the sun bed act through why would you then pick another pair.

Whilst this is true, and leaving aside the fact that the 1990s television landscape is vastly different to today's, Casualty in 2016 is a very different beast to Casualty of the early to mid 1990s. Then, it was an autumn / winter critically acclaimed, well written medical drama with razor sharp scripts and performances. Now it's an all-year-round bland soap opera (with a few unchallenging medical bits thrown in for good measure) that has been progressively bled dry by the BBC. The irony of Casualty holding up with 4m+ viewers is that post 30th anniversary, recent episodes have slipped back into mediocrity. It also isn't helped by the fact you have all-year-round Holby City further diluting the brand.

true but usually their is only one Sharon did not like Honey G let see what choice she makes tonight.

I just knew Louis would put the joke act through, yet I was disappointed nonetheless. 😂

Is filming Strictly the night before not a bit of a problem? You can find out who went home with a quick Google or Twitter search.

There were three in 2010 - Niccolo, Diva Fever and Wagner. Niccolo went in week one, Diva Fever in week two and Wagner around week seven. In 2011 there was only Johnny and he could sing so they had to shoehorn him into the slot (with Goldie's withdrawal). In 2012 they had Rylan who had a couple of sing off saves and got to week 8. 2013 didn't really have one; they tried to turn San Callahan into one but Gary didn't play ball. 2014 had Blonde Electra and Stevie with the former being ditched straight away (closest to this year?) whilst last year arguably had Reggie and Bollie... who came second!

Going back further, 2009 had Jedward who made it to week 7 with a singoff save, 2008 didn't really have one although it had Daniel Evans who was slammed every week by Simon and got to week 6 with a singoff save (and Eoghan Quigg got to the final!), 2007 had Same Difference who got to third place, 2006 didn't really have one(and was probably the dullest series they've ever done), 2005 had Chico who made it to week 8 with two (controversial) singoff saves. The first series in 2004 didn't have one (although the talent was so bad half the acts would probably be considered jokes now!)

I don't know that it'll necessarily affect the ratings either way but joke acts have been a part of the show since the very early days. People whinge about them but then they whinge that the show is dull when there isn't one as well (like in 2013).

Err, I was joking. Thought that was obvious since he's rubbish at it....

If people want to find out the result they can, I suspect most don't particularly care either way. Viewing figures suggest that.

Reggie and Bollie could genuinely sing though, they weren't a novelty act. They actually had potential to sell records.

Previous novelty acts have been likeable, this year's pair are just awful. The public won't take to them. I bet they've already signed up to CBB.

I used to wonder why ITV didn't really shake-up XF by starting in mid-Oct and finishing in February. Have a clear run in January with no SCD and have short auditions up against most of SCD. Release a Xmas charity record and do a special show at Xmas rather than a live one. Return in the new year to huge ratings.

You're still on for the Xmas advertising and you don't have to 'rest' the show.
Won't happen of course. XF could have launched Dance Dance Dance. The Voice start in late March.

Simon doesn't have to do American Idol anymore.

I guess so, it also helps a good proportion of the Strictly audience can't use Twitter.

No. We can use twitter. It's just that many of us choose not to. There is no point to it. What genuine purpose, in the scale of things, does it serve?

I don't even have to look to know who you are most likely talking about.

As predictable as night following day. X Factor never changes !

Sorry, my mistake, I'm sure I read it as 20:45 for next week.


There's creating a "ratings battle" for the hell of it, and there's creating one because the schedules flow better or because of other programming requirements. I have no problem with the latter.

Yes I have watched the show since the beginning and am well aware of the novelty history.The thing with the likes of Jedward,Wagner etc is that they actually had some talent and charisma and were pure entertainment. The selection of past novelty acts actually were plausible and they were submitted alongside a wide diverse range of talent which this year's selection certainly does not. Past judge's decisions have been plausible where this year's series has been BIZARRE and almost admittedly exposed the producer's control.We're supposed to believe that Louis originally sent the two home but SIMON of all people wanted them back and Sharon will put through Honey G who she sent home (which we know we will) over people she and the judges championed?

Fantastic for SCD - very disappointing for the XF.

And it's only a problem if you make it so. Otherwise you don't google it or look on Twitter (or venture into the clearly-marked spoiler thread on the Strictly forum)

Not sure if the Xmas number one is still a big thing but that was always the target for the winner and getting max publicly out of it.

You knew it was coming didn't you? The most surprising thing is that it is still considered shocking that they've gone through.

Admittedly I did laugh when they turned up for the result dressed as centurions because they wanted to show Louis they were "ready for battle in the live shows."

I notice Brian Friedman is back working on the live shows this year (a bit surprising given a couple of comments he made in the jungle last year) - they obviously wouldn't deprive him of a novelty act to work with.

Oh wow. This season sounds sillier than any other before it.

I know it's supposed to be a bit of fun on a Saturday night, but at the end of the day it is people's futures they are toying with, and I don't think viewers like being treated like idiots particularly.

Yes. I agree. If people want to find anything out, they will. Most won't. I have also spotted the "controversy" surrounding tonights SCD.

Only read the following spoiler if you want to know the outcome.

Novelty acts - what these singing shows are all about. They get people talking and in the case of Wagner you couldn't predict when he would be voted out.


So much for the Strictly Oath.

Don't think it makes much of a difference, because most viewers want to see the manner in which the celebrity left the show.