Strictly Come Dancing’s grand final saw the BBC series reach new heights in the ratings with a peak of 13.1 million viewers tuning in to watch Ore Oduba win the glitterball trophy.
An average of 11.8 million watched the conclusion to the celebrity dance competition on Saturday night, with an audience share of 53.5%.
This continues Strictly’s successful 2016 series, which has become the most popular in the programme’s 12-year history.
An average of 11.3 million viewers have watched the Saturday night episodes since the series kicked off in September – the highest figure ever recorded.
Ratings for the Sunday results shows this year have averaged 10.5 million.
The 2015 Strictly final was watched by an average of 11 million viewers and a peak of 11.9 million, although it was split into two episodes airing in one night: the final and the separate results show.
The growth of Strictly’s overnight figures for the final could be due in part to main rival The X Factor’s absence from the schedule as the ITV programme ended last weekend.
BBC sports presenter Ore was crowned the champion of the dance show after fending off competition from actor Danny Mac and former singer Louise Redknapp.
The final episode also saw Len Goodman bow out of the show after serving as head judge since it began over a decade ago.
Strictly’s success in the ratings caps a memorable year for the BBC, which has seen bumper audiences for shows including The Great British Bake Off and Planet Earth II as well as its coverage of Euro 2016 and the Rio Olympics.
