Strictly Come Dancing’s launch show ratings have been revealed after the BBC series returned on Saturday evening amid a string of ongoing scandals.

The recently aired episode introduced the newest group of 15 celebrities, who met their professional partners for the first time and participated in a group dance routine on the dance floor.

Strictly has been surrounded by controversies recently, including allegations of bullying, a drug investigation, and the affair scandal involving this year’s contestant Thomas Skinner.

Nonetheless, overnight ratings reveal that the 2025 premiere equaled the 2024 figures, reaching a peak of 5.6 million viewers and maintaining an average of 5.4 million throughout the hour-and-a-half broadcast.

While this may sound good news for the broadcaster, 2024’s launch was down a million viewers on the previous year. 

Consequently, Strictly outperformed any other program in its time slot by four million viewers. However, these overnight numbers exclude the on-demand viewers from BBC iPlayer, where millions are known to stream the show.

Strictly Come Dancing’s launch show ratings have been revealed after the BBC series returned on Saturday evening amid a string of ongoing scandals

The pre-recorded episode saw the celebs meeting their pro partners for the first time, before taking to the dance floor to perform a group routine 

It comes after Thomas Skinner lashed out at Peter Levy for an apparent online dig at his pairing with ballroom professional Amy Dowden. 

Following a series of health challenges, including receiving a grade three breast cancer diagnosis in May 2023, Dowden is set to dance with the less-experienced Skinner, who gained fame on The Apprentice.

On Saturday evening, Levy expressed dissatisfaction on X, joining others in criticizing the pairing, especially after Skinner’s admission of infidelity shortly after his wedding, involving a woman he met in a pub.

Responding to the post on Sunday, the Essex based businessman – who appeared to spend much of the day responding to trolls on social media – urged the newsreader to ‘stick to the autocue.’ 

He wrote: ‘Don’t feel sorry for Amy, Peter. She is an incredible woman, a fighter, and we’re gonna have a great time together on Strictly. In fact we haven’t stopped laughing. 

‘Maybe instead of making daft digs at me, you should be cheering on a brilliant dancer who’s beaten bigger battles that you and I have had to face. 

‘Anyway, you stick reading the autocue, I’ll stick to learning the cha-cha. I will be working my hardest on learning to dance so I don’t let her down. 

‘I want to do as well as possible, not just for myself but for her as-well.’ 

Strictly has found itself embroiled in controversy of late, from bullying claims and a drug probe to this year’s competitor Thomas Skinner’s affair scandal

But despite this, overnight figures show ratings for the 2025 launch matched 2024, peaking at 5.6 million viewers and averaging 5.4 million across the 90minute show 

Responding to the post, a chastened Levy wrote: ‘Hello Thomas, I am sure you are going to do a great job and will be a top partner. 

‘I wish you both well in the competition. I’ll stick with the autocue.’ 

Despite Skinner’s apparent bond with his new dance partner, fans have expressed dismay over the unlikely pairing given Dowden’s long awaited return to the show following a series of health setbacks. 

Commenting on social media, one disappointed viewer wrote: ‘You deserved better.’ 

A second added: ‘I am gutted she’s got him on her first year back.’

While a third posted: ‘You look amazing Amy. Great to see you back. So sorry you got the short straw with him though.’ 

Skinner has faced enormous public scrutiny since confirming his involvement in the show after storming out of a Strictly press event in September. 

It comes after Thomas Skinner has lashed out at Peter Levy (pictured) for an apparent online dig at his pairing with ballroom professional Amy Dowden  

Responding to the post on Sunday, the Essex based businessman – who appeared to spend much of the day responding to trolls on social media – ht back at the newsreader

And BBC News presenter Peter Levy admits he too is disappointed with the decision to pair him with Dowden for this year’s series.

Taking to X following the launch episode, BBC TV and radio presenter Levy, who fronts Look North, expressed his sympathies to Amy as he penned: ‘I feel sorry for Amy Dowden…’

Skinner has courted difficult headlines over recent weeks after admitting to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding in May 2022, claiming the ‘two week fling’ was a ‘moment of madness’.

However ‘secret mistress’ Amy-Lucy O’Rourke later suggested in an interview with the Daily Mail that their secret relationship lasted three months, during which time he said he was in love with her and unhappy with his wife.

STRICTLY LINEUP 2025

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

Age: 36

Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator

Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’

Alex Kingston

Age: 62

Profession: Doctor Who actress

The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’

Balvinder Sopal 

Age: 46

Profession: EastEnders actress

Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’

La Voix 

Age: 45

Profession: Drag performer 

She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’ 

Thomas Skinner 

Age: 34

Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur 

He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’ 

Vicky Pattison

Age: 37

Profession: Reality TV star

She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’ 

Karen Carney  

Age: 38

Profession: Football pundit

She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’ 

George Clark

Age: 25 

Profession: YouTuber 

He says:  ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’

 Dani Dyer

Age: 29

Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner

Dani says: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year!  feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Age: 53

Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.

He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’

Ellie Goldstein  

Age: 23

Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador 

She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.

Chris Robshaw

Age: 39

Profession: Rugby player

He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.  

Stefan Dennis

Age: 66

Profession: Actor

He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’

Ross King 

Age: 63

Profession: Showbiz correspondent

He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’

 Lewis Cope

Age: 30

Profession: Actor

He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’