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Alesha Dixon factor fails to pull in young Strictly viewers
By Georgina Littlejohn, London Lite Last updated at 14:33pm on 09.10.09The arrival of Alesha Dixon on the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel has failed to attract more youngsters to the show.
Complaints: fans criticised Alesha Dixon as the new judge
In another blow to the BBC's celebrity dance show, figures show it has lost a lot of its under-16 viewers to ITV rival The X Factor.
Just 24.8 per cent of children watching TV on a Saturday night were tuned into BBC One for the first five episodes of this year's Strictly. The share of 16 to 34-year-olds watching Strictly also dropped from 27.5 per cent to 25.2 per cent, while The X Factor saw a more than two per cent increase.
The BBC had hoped to draw in a younger audience to this year's show by replacing former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips, 66, with Dixon, 31, the show's 2007 winner. But the corporation was accused of discriminating against older women by axing Phillips. Hundreds of viewers also complained about Dixon's performance as a judge, saying she was inexperienced.
A BBC spokesman said: "It is quite wrong to state that Strictly has changed its format in an effort to attract younger viewers.
"The show was refreshed this year after listening to feedback from our audiences and we are extremely pleased with the way it has been performing for audiences of all ages."
Meanwhile, the show's presenter Bruce Forsyth has been forced to make a U-turn after he said the nation should have a “sense of humour” after dancer Anton du Beke, 43, called his actress partner Laila Rouass, 38, a “paki” when she had a spray tan. Today Forsyth, 81, said: “The use of racially offensive language is never either funny or acceptable.”
Amy Winehouse, 26, will appear on Strictly tomorrow, to back goddaughter Dionne Bromfield, 13, despite rumours suggesting she was in rehab.
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Reader views (3)
The useless Alesha is not a popular addition as a judge. Since she opened her mouth people like myself have been abandoning SCD. She has not pulled in any younger viewers, she has only amounted to trouble and the demise of what was once a great show.
- Denise, Glasgow
Was that why they made Alesha a judge? Stupid reasoning. Her fans like her as a singer, not a 'Strictly' judge.
Have her a singing a few numbers. That might pull in a few youngsters. BUT...the resident singers with the band are so brilliant, it would be pointless.
How about a show with just the band and those amazing singers?
They are not getting enough exposure.
- Carrotty, Harrow
Serves them right for assuming that just because viewers are young, they are all automatically shallow and undiscerning. Not necessarily so.
- Anon, England
