Claudia Winkleman has awkwardly broken a Strictly Come Dancing record
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A ratings war seems to be brewing between two of the BBC’s biggest TV shows – and awkwardly, Claudia Winkleman is caught right in the middle of them. This year’s series of The Traitors has been a roaring success so far, with viewers tuning in to discover if the Faithfuls will find out that Linda and Minah are the Traitors in their midst.
![[The Traitors,08-01-2025,4,Claudia Winkleman,Studio Lambert,Euan Cherry]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235444089-334b.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
There’s been drama aplenty in the first half of the season ahead of the upcoming grand finale later this month, when it will be determined who’ll go home with the cash prize. Ahead of the return of The Traitors, Strictly Come Dancing was the primetime show providing entertainment to millions of people across the UK, with comedian Chris McCausland and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell being crowned the 2024 champions.
![[For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland, during their appearance on the live show of Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing show on BBC1. Comedian Chris McCausland has become the first blind winner of Strictly Come Dancing. The BBC One dancing show saw McCausland and partner Dianne Buswell lift the glitterball trophy on Saturday following a public vote as the series celebrated 20 years on screen this year. Picture date: Saturday December 14, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233252397-0cdf.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
While Strictly is still a staple of the BBC – and will undoubtedly remain that way for years to come – it’s now been revealed that The Traitors has actually overtaken it when it comes to the number of viewers who tuned in for the launch episodes.
![[The Traitors s3,01-01-2025,1,Linda,Studio Lambert,Euan Cherry]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235862292-4ab4.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
After The Traitors returned on New Year’s Day, it was revealed that more than 9million people watched it, the biggest audience the series has ever had. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video.
Up Next. According to Barb, a company that analyses ratings, an average audience of 9.2m people watched the first episode of the new season. Want to get all the latest news and predictions for the best and most dramatic show this new year? Join our The Traitors WhatsApp channel for live episode coverage, behind-the-scenes gossip and a place to recover from all the cliffhangers.
