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Monday, 21 September 2009

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The X Factor beats Strictly in ratings battle

Primetime shows go head-to-head

The X Factor is in its 6th series

The X Factor reeled in more viewers than rival show Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night.

A total of 10.7million people tuned in to ITV to watch The X Factor.

Rival BBC show Strictly pulled in an audience of 8.7million.

‘We are very pleased with Strictly's viewing figures,' says a BBC spokesman.

‘In total, more than 19 million people tuned in for some fantastic entertainment - showing there is something for everyone on a Saturday night.

‘The overlap between the two shows - which has happened more than 40 times in the past - has clearly not dented the fortunes of either show.'

But X Factor Judge Simon Cowell is annoyed by the scheduling clash.

‘I don't think there are any other shows people are as passionate about right now,' he writes in The Sun. 'And it's crazy that they're up against each other.

‘I'll try to persuade ITV to move The X Factor back or forward, whatever they need to do.

I'm prepared to do anything to give the public what they want.'

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Lorraine Crowther