Mean Beeb 'gave us B-listers'

TOP DRAW: Kelly Brook

Strictly takes on the X Factor

Beeb bosses' drastic plan to save Strictly Come Dancing.

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08/11/2009

ANGRY Strictly Come Dancing bosses have blamed Beeb budget cuts for the contest being slammed in the ratings by X Factor this year.

Simon Cowell's results show drew its biggest ever audience on Sunday with a peak of 15.8 million viewers - compared to Strictly's 9.5 million the night before.

And furious producers say it's all down to new limits on pay for celebrity contestants.

A BBC insider told us: "They put a £50,000 cap on celeb fees this year, so we couldn't sign up big stars like Kelly Brook or Penny Lancaster-Stewart.

"And ITV splashed out on a new set and live results show. Our set looks tired in comparison and we dropped our results show.

"Next year the BBC needs to invest properly and sign some major stars or Strictly won't be around forever like we hoped."

Your comments

This article has 3 comments

YOu may be right Jamie if both were pure "talent" shows but there isa distinct difference in format. The reason for why strictly is successful (and 9.5 million viewers isn't shoddy) is because it takes celebs who you have an immediate connection with and places them outside a comfort zone.

Thats why X-Factor has the links to dead family members or some other thing to get you to feel for the contestant.

You would be right if Strictly was with members of the public, but it isn't. I don't watch either this year, but I know very few peeps who are on Strictly, if the beeb wants to chase the young viewers by filling the show with no marks from Hollyoaks then they will start to lose the viewers that won't be switching over to x-factor, they will just be switching off.

By Steve.. Posted November 8 2009 at 5:27 AM.

Nothing to do with the twins, or the 'celebs' either, simply aspirations. People dont want to grow up to be ballroom dancers, they want to be pop stars. Its airtime slot is during primetime familly viewing, which kids and young teenagers ‘own’. I’ts not hard to work out why your being smashed in the ratings. Stop wasting our money BBC, your flogging a dead horse.

By Jamie Smith.. Posted November 8 2009 at 2:15 AM.

Nothing to do with money. X-factor simple more interesting because of the Twins!!!!

By Mark Johnson.. Posted November 7 2009 at 11:08 PM.

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