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Strictly Come Dancing > News
Fans lose out as X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing reveal plans to go head-to-head
29 September 2007, Daily Mail
Fans of X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing are set to lose out as the television rivals go head-to-head next week in a nightmare scheduling clash, it was revealed.
Strictly Come Dancing launches on Saturday with a preview show at 6pm, with X Factor bosses scheduling two shows starting at 6.05pm and 8.30pm.
Dance Partners Kelly Brook and Brendan Cole
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Next week when the competition begins for the celebrities, including actress Kelly Brook, Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster and R'n'B singer Aleesha Dixon, the X Factor's 'Judges' Houses' episode will be shown in a direct clash with Strictly for 45 minutes, forcing fans to choose.
And in a blatant bid for compete for the same viewers, ITV bosses reportedly plan to air two more episodes on Sunday evening, one of which runs alongside Strictly's new extended results show for 50 minutes.
The battle will divide fans of both shows, and follows on from last year when the two fought for viewers. Strictly was the outright winner, trouncing the X Factor show which was forced to move to an earlier slot.
This year bosses at X Factor, which boasts Kylie's sister Dannii Minogue as a judge, are hoping to turn the tables.
An ITV1 insider told The Sun: "We've already got the upper hand as we've been on for weeks and have established our audience.
"Our fans are in for a treat next weekend as we've got two episodes.
"They cover the singers going to the judges' homes and the finalists being revealed for the first time."
But the BBC insists its show will come out on top.
A source said: "X Factor can play their dirty tricks, but in the end it's the viewer who will lose out as they will have to miss one of the shows, or set their videos.
"We have a terrific line-up and know our audience is loyal to us.
"We refuse to lower ourselves to ITV's level with a slanging match. Our ratings will speak for themselves."
The channels declined to comment officially.
Strictly Come Dancing fans reacted with anger this week after the BBC announced it was moving the results show from the Saturday night to the following evening and revealed it would be letting judges have the final say on which couple is saved.
Viewers have react with anger to the moves claiming the show worked perfectly well as it is.
It is unclear if nervousness caused by recent phone-in scandals was a factor in the decision.
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Related:
Strictly Come Dancing Celebrities and their dance partners
- Stephanie Beacham, Dynasty star - paired with Vincent Simone
- Kelly Brook, actress - Brendan Cole
- Letitia Dean, EastEnders actress - Darren Bennett
- Alesha Dixon, Mis-Teeq singer - Matthew Cutler
- Kate Garraway, GMTV presenter - Anton Du Beke
- Penny Lancaster-Stewart, model - Ian Waite
- Gabby Logan, sports presenter - James Jordan
- Kenny Logan, Scotland rugby star - Ola Jordan
- John Barnes, ex-England footballer - Nicole Cutler
- Brian Capron, actor - Karen Hardy
- Matt Di’Angelo actor - Flavia Cacace
- Gethin Jones, Blue Peter presenter - Camilla Dallerup
- Dominic Littlewood, TV presenter - Lilia Kopylova
- Willie Thorne, snooker player - Erin Boag
Judges: Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli
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