Saturday night’s alright for fighting as ITV’s the Voice UK takes on the BBC ’s Strictly Come Dancing juggernaut.
ITV bosses will bring out big-brand shows in the hope of denting the ballroom series as it celebrates its 20th anniversary next month.
An insider said the channel “rolled over” last year in the face of Strictly’s popularity, pitting quizzes and game shows against it.
But when Strictly launches, it will face the Masked Dancer at 6.30pm before going head-to-head with the Voice UK, featuring coaches Sir Tom Jones, right, will.i.am, Anne-Marie and Olly Murs.
The Voice UK launched on BBC1 in 2012 and drew an audience of nearly 12 million. It switched to ITV in 2017 and attracts up to 4 million viewers. Other shows to bolster ITV this autumn include Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Ninja Warrior Race for Glory.
ITV said its schedule is “jam-packed with unmissable entertainment”. But it has axed singing show Walk the Line and the Games.
Meanwhile, Strictly’s Rose Ayling-Ellis has revealed she did not watch the show before she won it last year as the subtitles were poor.
She also hit out at a lack of inclusion for deaf actors in TV.
And addressing the Edinburgh TV Festival in the Alternative Mactaggart speech she said she had felt "lonely" being one of few deaf actors and also "petrified" that criticising conditions could lead to her being replaced on jobs.
On Strictly, which she won in December last year with pro partner Giovanni Pernice, Rose said: "When Strictly approached me, to tell you the truth, I didn’t get excited straight away. I had become very wary of the industry.
“Every job I have been given, I have always been the only deaf person and it always comes with its challenges and issues. I knew a big part of why Strictly approached me because I am deaf.
“I am an actress, so doing a reality show was something I hadn’t previously considered, however I could see that the opportunity was huge and turning it down felt wrong.
“Saying ‘no’ is a privilege most people take for granted, I knew I would be the first deaf dancer and saying ‘no’ to that felt wrong," she added.
