Record audience for Strictly as changes mooted for next series

by Jennifer Whitehead, Brand Republic 22-Dec-08, 09:10

LONDON - A record 13.3m people tuned in to watch Holby City actor Tom Chambers win the final of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, amid reports that viewers were unable to get through on phone lines to cast their votes.

The BBC has admitted that due to the huge volume of people phoning in to vote on the final, some viewers may not have been able to get through, but that they were sure that it was a fair outcome.

Chambers won in a final dance-off against former S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens, with presenter Lisa Snowden coming third.

The sixth series of the ballroom contest has been dogged by controversy, with the Daily Mail reporting today that it will return next year with a number of changes.

Head judge Len Goodman is tipped to be leaving because of the strain of travelling between the US and UK versions of the show, while Arlene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood could be replaced. Bruce Forsythe expected to keep his role as host.

The judges have been criticised over comments they made about viewers supporting the newscaster John Sergeant, in spite of his poor aptitude for ballroom dancing.

Sergeant eventually quit the show.

Chambers caused controversy just by being in the final as he was on course to be voted off after dancing in the penultimate episode against Rachel Stevens and Lisa Snowden.

Producers decided to let all three contestants go through to the final, leading to criticism from fans of the show.

It is likely that a revamped version of the show would avoid these situations.

The Daily Mail also reports that the BBC will consider moving the results show back to Saturday night, instead of having it on the Sunday night as was the case this season.

Comments

Dan Leahul - 22/12/2008

those numbers are staggering, that's nearly half the population of canada

Andrew McCormick - 22/12/2008

I thought it was UK only

Mike Page - 22/12/2008

Doesn't this say more about the rubbish weekend telly schedules rather than the 'must see' programming? I just don't get these reality TV programmes. Just seems like cheap TV that's dumbing down to the lowest common denominator.