Strictly Come Dancing's launch show ratings have been revealed after the BBC series returned on Saturday evening amid a string of ongoing scandals.

The pre-recorded episode saw the latest batch of 15 celebs meeting their pro partners for the first time before taking to the dance floor to perform a group routine.

Strictly has found itself embroiled in controversy of late, from bullying claims and a drug probe to this year's competitor Thomas Skinner's affair scandal.

But despite this, overnight figures show ratings for the 2025 launch matched 2024, peaking at 5.6 million viewers and averaging 5.4 million across the 90minute show. 

While this may sound good news for the broadcaster, 2024's launch was down a million viewers on the previous year. 

This meant this year Strictly was watched by four million more people than anything else in that time slot. However the overnight figure does not include on-demand viewing from BBC iPlayer where millions are known to watch the show. 

It comes after Thomas Skinner lashed out at Peter Levy for an apparent online dig at his pairing with ballroom professional Amy Dowden. 

Dowden will partner novice dancer Skinner, best known for his appearances on The Apprentice, after returning to the show following a series of health setbacks - among them a grade three breast cancer diagnosis in May 2023. 

Taking to X on Saturday evening, Levy joined a chorus of negative reactions to the pairing, which comes after Skinner admitted to cheating on his wife shortly after their wedding with a woman he met in a pub. 

Responding to the post on Sunday, the Essex based businessman - who appeared to spend much of the day responding to trolls on social media - urged the newsreader to 'stick to the autocue.' 

He wrote: 'Don't feel sorry for Amy, Peter. She is an incredible woman, a fighter, and we're gonna have a great time together on Strictly. In fact we haven't stopped laughing. 

'Maybe instead of making daft digs at me, you should be cheering on a brilliant dancer who's beaten bigger battles that you and I have had to face. 

'Anyway, you stick reading the autocue, I'll stick to learning the cha-cha. I will be working my hardest on learning to dance so I don't let her down. 

'I want to do as well as possible, not just for myself but for her as-well.' 

Responding to the post, a chastened Levy wrote: 'Hello Thomas, I am sure you are going to do a great job and will be a top partner. 

'I wish you both well in the competition. I'll stick with the autocue.' 

Despite Skinner's apparent bond with his new dance partner, fans have expressed dismay over the unlikely pairing given Dowden's long awaited return to the show following a series of health setbacks. 

Commenting on social media, one disappointed viewer wrote: 'You deserved better.' 

A second added: 'I am gutted she's got him on her first year back.'

While a third posted: 'You look amazing Amy. Great to see you back. So sorry you got the short straw with him though.' 

Skinner has faced enormous public scrutiny since confirming his involvement in the show after storming out of a Strictly press event in September. 

And BBC News presenter Peter Levy admits he too is disappointed with the decision to pair him with Dowden for this year's series.

Taking to X following the launch episode, BBC TV and radio presenter Levy, who fronts Look North, expressed his sympathies to Amy as he penned: 'I feel sorry for Amy Dowden...'

Skinner has courted difficult headlines over recent weeks after admitting to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding in May 2022, claiming the 'two week fling' was a 'moment of madness'.

However 'secret mistress' Amy-Lucy O'Rourke later suggested in an interview with the Daily Mail that their secret relationship lasted three months, during which time he said he was in love with her and unhappy with his wife.