STRICTLY Come Dancing's launch edition stepped ahead of The X Factor when the two shows went head to head, pulling in 700,000 more viewers.
The BBC One dance show averaged 6.5 million for its hour-long show, while its ITV rival drew one of its worst figures since its 2004 launch, with 5.8 million.
ITV surprised many with its first Friday edition, now screening over three consecutive nights.
The figures will come as a blow to Simon Cowell, whose return to the judging panel has not halted a downward trend in the past three years.
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