ITV executives have apparently barred stars of the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing' from appearing on their channel in order to protect ' The X Factor' which is neck
and neck in a ratings war with Come Dancing.

Tonight's X Factor has been dropped in favour of England's rugby international.

But ITV bosses are worried that viewers not interested in sport will switch to 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

So to prevent any promotion of Strictly they have told producers not to book any of the dance professionals, contestants or judges with immediate effect.

see: http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/2007...9520-19945289/

Horse, door and bolted springs to mind. Stephanie Beacham on Loose Women for starters. And what are they going to do about Kate Garroway? Ban her from the sofa as long as she stays in??

It just doesn't make sense. ITV are just bad losers and anyway like myself not everybody likes watching sport.

Brian and Karen were on GMTV earlier in the week!

So if Kenny has to do any rugby duties during the next week I fully expect him to be sitting there with a paper bag on his head and just a couple of holes for eyes.

Kate is on GMTV which is separate from ITV as far as I am aware, although I believe that ITV still has a large (controlling?) shareholding, so how far ITV can exert influence is open to question (they probably can).

But the Rugby and SCD do not clash. Strictly finishes at 7:30 and that is when the Rugby starts on ITV with kick off at 8:00.

I'll be watching both

Yeah, GMTV own the timeslot that it's shown on, so ITV can't do anything about that.

I think it's stupid, Channel 4 aren't being pathetic about it, and they have Letitia on on Wednesday

Yes, but it's all about viewer perception. Most people outside of the industry wouldn't make a diferentiation between ITV and GMTV, it's all on the same channel as far as they are concerned.

Its really up to ITV what they will or will not allow on their channel. Bit petty, but hard truth is ITV is a commercial channel - they don't really make anything out of SCD.
Although, conversely, ITV, it IS for charity!!
The Beeb should make more of an effort to promo the couples during daytime.

They do have regular guest spots on Breakfast, there are no other BBC morning shows that could cater for guests & chat (unless they were guests on The Daily Politics, interviewed by Andrew Neil ).

ITV only owns 70% of GMTV so will have some flexibility.

Tish is on O Grady but I suppose Channel 4 don't count. It is pathetic, just like children, not sharing their sweeties.

In strictly (sorry!) business terms, that's more than enough for a controlling interest, and more than enough for ITV to "install" their own people (not that they would ever do such a thing of course).

I doubt the BBC will have the latest X Factor evictee on the BBC Breakfast sofa either when it starts.

Well ITV were right. I detest rugby so I switched over to watch Strictly Come Dancing.

And I really enjoyed it.

X Factor has barely got off the ground and we're not really into the acts yet so it was a bad move to alienate the female audience - which I daresay is the majority.

They will never learn. Put the sports on other channels.

Took me ages to find this thread - skipped over it and then had to back track - didn't want to start new one.

Watching Loose Women and their phon/text in competition asks who is Brucie's current sidekick on SCD.

If all the ratings stuff between ITV/Beeb right, am surprised at question.

Kelly Brook was also on This Morning on Monday talking about SCD

Kelly Brook was on 'This Morning' yesterday.

Sorry great minds think alike.

ITV are funny about it though - they're obviously terrified of the BeebS big light entertainment programme.

Remember how they wouldn't let Gabby do the show last year at the last minute which is why Georgina was hastily brought in? She was apparently someone who fitted the costumes that had already been made for Gabby!

ITV don't seem to have the same problem using BBC stars on Dancing on Ice or I'm a Celeb though do they?

Surprised they wear same size! Not to be mean but wasn't Georgina a tad heavier built?

I think the term is "bigger-boned"

IIRC they were heavily draped and floaty but yes Georgina does look a bit heavier than Gabby - but then Gabby HAS had all year to take dance lessons and slim down since she wan't allowed to take part last year.

Presumably they promised her she could be in it this year once she came over to the Beeb!