X Factor beats Strictly in ratings

13 October 2008 10:59am

Talent show The X Factor beat rival TV show Strictly Come Dancing in the ratings, it has been revealed.

ITV1 said that 10.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the 12 final acts perform live in front of The X Factor judges - Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue - on Saturday night.

This represented 44 per cent of the total audience figures, according to the broadcaster.

The two-hour ITV1 show was aired from 7.15 - 9.15pm.

Eight million viewers tuned into the later X Factor live results show, when girlband Bad Lashes became the first contenders to be voted off the new series. The foursome from the North East left the show after coming bottom of the public vote.

Celebrity dance competition Strictly Come Dancing attracted a peak audience figure of 8.9 million during the 80-minute show, which was on air from 5.50pm, the BBC said.

Viewers tuned in to see the remaining seven female stars take to the dance floor on Saturday in the fourth round of the BBC One reality show.

The celebrities performed a rumba or a quickstep. Actress Jessie Wallace was voted off the show, which is hosted by Tess Daly and Bruce Forsyth.

© The Press Association