'Dancing' holds Saturday lead, England scores

Strictly Come Dancing maintained its lead over The X Factor on Saturday night, according to early ratings figures.

The performances show improved from 7.8 million (38.7%) last week to 9.11 million (39.2%) between 6.45pm and 7.50pm, topping its ITV1 rival, which had 8.54 million (36.3%) between 7pm and 8.15pm.

The X Factor results show had the edge later in the evening, averaging 8.23 million (35.3%) from 9.15pm. The shortened Strictly Come Dancing verdict had 8.03 million (34%), up from 6.96 million (31.5%).

Earlier in the day, coverage of the friendly between Argentina and England proved a stellar hit for BBC One. Match of the Day averaged 9.17 million (48.5%) between 4.35pm and 6.45pm, peaking with 10.9 million (49.7%) towards the end.

Casualty finished fifth for the day with an average of 8.13 million (34.9%) from 8.25pm while on ITV1, Millionaire improved to 6.48 million (27.9%).

BBC One's The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, fronted by Huw Edwards, kept 5.68 million (27.3%) between 9.30pm and 11.05pm. Parkinson had 4.72 million (22.5%) for ITV1.

Five had a strong primetime performance, led by CSI: Crime Scene Investigation with 2.19 million (9.8%) at 9.15pm. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit had 2.02 million (10.4%) in the following hour while Channel 4 drama Stepmom averaged 1.4 million (7.2%) between 9.15pm and 11.40pm. BBC Two failed to register with 1 million (4.3%) for Auschwitz: The Nazis and the `Final Solution' and 0.98 million (4.4%) for Bodies.

ITV2's Xtra Factor spinoff shows proved a top draw in multichannel homes, averaging 554,000 (3.3%) from 8.15pm and a hefty 1.23 million (8%) after the ITV1 results show. Later in the evening, The Simon Cowell Story managed 445,000 (3.1%).

The premiere of The Stepford Wives pulled in 325,000 (2%) to Sky Movies 1 at 8pm, with an extra 129,000 (0.8%) tuning in via timeshift and a further 159,000 (2.7%) to a late night repeat. Dante's Peak also put in a notable 204,000 (1.5%).

Other strong performers included ITV3's Out of Africa (261,000, 1.7%), E4's 50 Greatest Comedy Sketches (358,000 + 96,000, 2.7%) and BBC Three's Stigmata (182,000, 2.5%).