'Strictly Come Dancing' Live Show Draws Criticism for Ratings Slump and Hosting Woes

The first live show of "Strictly Come Dancing" has been met with a wave of criticism, with viewers branding it a "disaster" following a ratings slump and perceived hosting missteps. The 150-minute episode saw fewer viewers tune in than its pre-recorded launch, a first in seven years.

Viewers took to social media to express their disappointment with the show's new hosting format, which features a trio of presenters: Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. Many questioned the BBC's decision to have three hosts for what traditionally has been a two-person presenting role, with some singling out Widdicombe as appearing to be a "spare part" alongside the more experienced Willis.

During the broadcast, Widdicombe was noted for missing cues, including a moment where he appeared unsure when to speak after a segment, and again during a different link later in the show. Judge Motsi Mabuse also playfully admonished Widdicombe at one point, leading to lighthearted exchanges that were noted by viewers.

Critics and fans suggested that Widdicombe, known for his comedic work on "The Last Leg," might have been better suited to a solo role, perhaps in the "Clauditorium"—the area where hosts typically debrief with contestants and professionals. "Everyone is being quite hard on Josh but he's really not the problem," one viewer commented. "He should be up in the Clauditorium to crack jokes with the contestants. Emma is fantastic and such a natural so she should be on her own on the main floor. Three hosts are too much."

Johannes Radebe, in his first presenting role, also faced criticism for providing voting information too early in segments, making it difficult for viewers to hear over audience applause. "Johannes keeps talking before the camera spots him #strictly," one viewer pointed out.

The show's ratings for the first live episode stood at 4.8 million viewers, a significant drop from the 6.2 million who watched the comparable episode last year. The pre-recorded launch show had peaked at 5.8 million viewers. This decline places the first live show's viewership lower than the launch show for the first time since 2019. The broadcast also faced competition from England's UEFA Nations League match against Spain, which drew three million viewers on ITV1.

A spokesperson for "Strictly" stated that "Strictly was the most watched programme of the night, with a peak of 5 million viewers. As ever, overnight ratings do not give the full picture of all those who watch in an on-demand world."

Despite the hosting challenges, the first week saw YouTuber John Nellis top the leaderboard with an impressive foxtrot that earned high scores from the judges. This highlights the BBC's strategy of casting social media personalities, a move that has seen success in previous years with contestants like Joe Sugg and Tasha Ghouri.

However, the inclusion of many lesser-known online personalities has left some long-time viewers questioning the lineup. Data suggests that the majority of "Strictly" viewers are over 55, a demographic that may not be familiar with many of the newer contestants. The show is reportedly adopting a social media strategy similar to its U.S. counterpart, "Dancing With The Stars."

In addition to hosting and ratings concerns, fans have also expressed dissatisfaction with a recent format change regarding the announcement of weekly song and dance choices. Previously revealed on Tuesdays, the choices are now presented on Fridays. Viewers have called for a return to the traditional format, with many commenting on social media, "I miss the old way of announcing the dances."

No eliminations took place after the first live show, with scores from week one combined with the following week's before the first contestant departs next Sunday. The show continues on BBC One.