Ratings war as shows square up
The two big reality shows reach their semi-finals today, with BBC and ITV battling their own war of the ratings.
The two big reality shows reach their semi-finals today, with BBC and ITV battling their own war of the ratings.
Strictly Come Dancing has so far edged it with viewers, but ITV bosses hope people will return to the channel to find out who reaches next week's final show.
X Factor hopeful Niki Evans, pictured, has the perfect incentive to win through to the live finals – a concert in her own backyard. The 34-year-old from Polesworth, near Lichfield, has been booked to perform at the Black Country's Merry Hill centre on Monday.
But she will only fulfil the date if she wins through to the final three of the competition tonight. She will compete tonight against X Factor hot favourite Rhydian Roberts, the 23-year-old Welsh opera singer, 18-year-old Scottish shop assistant Leon Jackson and brother and sister duo Same Difference.
Niki has already shot her first music video, preparing for if she's crowned the competition winner. She said: "I was the first to shoot the video and they made all the others watch me. I was so nervous. "I am going to be shaking like a leaf tonight. They will be my most nerve-wracking performances yet." Nikki will be belting out Whitney Houston's One Moment In Time and Songbird by Eva Cassidy on tonight's semi-final show.
On Strictly Come Dancing, contestants will also be battling it out for a place in the top three tonight, despite overcoming illness and having to juggle pantomime rehearsals.
The four remaining couples – Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler; Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup; Letitia Dean and Darren Bennett and Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace – will perform two dances each tonight.As usual, the phone lines will close at 9pm, with the results being broadcast tomorrow night. Kenny Logan, husband of sports presenter Gabby Logan, and Ola Jordan were voted off last weekend. The judges saved Darren and former EastEnder Letitia.
Despite having less time than usual to train for Saturday's show, Darren and Letitia have still found time to sit down and reflect on their amazing journey so far.
"Dancing with Letitia for three and a half months has been amazing", says Darren. "We've had days that will go down in Strictly history – we've laughed so much. I have neve laughed so much on Strictly."
