Strictly Come Dancing has faced a fresh blow as its ratings plummeted for a second week in a row. 

Saturday saw the first live show with a public vote - but its viewers for the evening peaked at just 7.1million, down from 7.8million the year before.  

The drop in viewers tuning in echoed a similar dip for both its launch and first live shows, with almost one million tuning out for the former. 

However it's not all doom and gloom for scandal-hit Strictly, as it is still reportedly the most watched Saturday night show. 

A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'Strictly is still the most watched programme on a Saturday night — getting double the viewers of its nearest ratings rival.

'And, although the number watching on catch-up is increasing, the BBC always prided itself on the fact that the dance show offered a shared experience.

'But it seems fewer and fewer people are now choosing to share it on a Saturday night.'

The BBC Latin and ballroom show was back on screens this weekend amid a major scandal and a shock NTA win upon its 20th anniversary. 

Actress Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show last October before claiming her partner Giovanni Pernice was abusive towards her.

The competition was then hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for 'kicking' his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott. 

But was revealed after the launch show that Strictly has lost a huge chunk of viewers since last year.

The first live show saw a peak of 6.7million viewers, down from 7.3million for the same episode last year and 10.2million in 2020. 

Meanwhile overnight ratings for the launch show revealed that 5.5million viewers tuned in to see a string of celebrities paired up with professional dancers compared to 6.2million in 2023.

The BBC dodged any mention of the show's string of scandals during its launch episode. 

Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly excitedly introduced this year's celebrities and announced which dancers they would be paired with - but the controversies of the last year went unmentioned. 

Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is underway over allegations made by Amanda and two other former celebrity partners. 

He has vehemently denied the claims. 

With the report into his misconduct due any day now, Amanda has reportedly been left deeply disappointed with the BBC bosses over fears they're 'protecting' the dancer amid the bullying probe.

There have been high-level meetings among BBC bosses as they navigate how to deliver their findings as they fear the looming possibility of legal action from either Amanda or Giovanni if either is disappointed by the outcome. 

Despite the disappointing figures, Saturday's launch show came went off with the usual bells and whistles.  

Professional dancer Amy Dowden - who is now cancer free - was a vision in a dazzling fuchsia ballroom gown twirling around as she displayed her incredible moves with her fellow dancers as part of her triumphant comeback. 

Strictly's Class of 2024 is made up of stars like EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri and JLS singer JB Gill.

Other contestants include  X Factor winner Shayne Ward, Miranda star Sarah Hadland and DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles.

Comedian Chris McCausland - who has made history as the show's first blind participant - has already become a firm favourite  amongst fans thanks to his wicked sense of humour.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday September 21 on BBC1.