Close battle between 'Dancing', 'X Factor'

Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor ran another close ratings battle last night, early figures suggest.

As usual, the former had the advantage with the performances show, averaging 8.88 million (37.9%) between 6.30pm and 7.45pm versus 8.53 million (35.6%) between 7pm and 8.10pm. X Factor regained the lead for the results at 9.10pm however, drawing 8.06 million (32.9%) versus 7.91 million (32.3%).

Casualty managed third place overall with 8.16 million (34.3%) at 8.20pm while on ITV1, Millionaire had an admirable 6.34 million (26.8%). Later, Parkinson improved to an impressive 6.08 million (29%).

Five had a strong showing in primetime, with episodes of CSI and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit pulling in respective audiences of 2.13 million (9.2%) and 1.99 million (10.5%).

Channel 4 movie John Q averaged 1.39 million (6.9%) between 9.10pm and 11.20pm, while BBC Two trailed with 1.22 million (5%) for Auschwitz: The Nazis and the `Final Solution' and 1.07 million (5.1%) for Bodies.

ITV2's The Xtra Factor ruled in multichannel homes, drawing 685,000 (4.1%) at 8.10pm and a massive 1.12 million (7.2%) at 9.40pm. The channel also fared well with the first of its I'm A Celebrity programmes for the year. Preview show Get Me Out of Here! Burrell Goes Back averaged 605,000 (4.5%) at 10.10pm for fifth place overall.

Other strong performers included Agatha Christie's Marple on ITV3 (467,000, 2.8%), BBC Three's Beverly Hills Cop II (373,000, 2.3%) and ITV2's Bulletproof (253,000, 3.5%).