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The BBC has denied rumours that Strictly Come Dancing’s Sunday night results show could be axed following concerns about leaks.
The dance extravaganza is filmed live on Saturday nights during its autumn run, with the Sunday results show recorded straight afterwards and broadcast the next day.
The current set-up means that the news of which celebrity couple has been eliminated is sometimes leaked online ahead of the Sunday evening programme airing.
A recent report in the Mail on Sunday claimed that some BBC executives believe that Strictly should revert to its original format, with a live results show airing later on Saturday night.
“It’s become a complete farce, everyone watching knows that it was filmed the night before – but more significant than that, the result is out on the internet almost immediately,” a source told the paper.
However, the BBC has now brushed off this speculation, confirming in a statement to Wales Online that “this story is nonsense”.
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The Sunday night results show is pre-recorded and therefore subject to leaks (BBC/Guy Levy)
“Strictly’s results show is hugely popular, and over seven million people came together to watch it live last Sunday night,” a spokesperson said.
The results show remains a ratings success for the broadcaster, with a source adding that “on overnight ratings alone, Sunday’s results show had 7.1 million viewers”.
“This will grow further when catch-up and BBC iPlayer viewing is factored in,” they said. “This overnight figure was five million viewers more than the most watched programme on other channels, and the BBC’s highest overnight on Sunday.”
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Last week’s results show reportedly drew in more than seven million viewers (BBC/Guy Levy)
A Strictly insider also told Digital Spy that “there’s absolutely no truth to the suggestion that the Sunday night results show might be axed”.
The Sunday show typically features a group dance from the professionals, as well as a musical performance, before the two couples with the lowest number of votes from the public face the dreaded dance-off.
The judging panel must then decide which pair they will send home.
Last month, the show’s longtime presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman broke the news that they would be leaving Strictly at the end of the year.
“We have loved working as a duo, and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream,” they said. “We were always going to leave together, and now feels like the right time.”