Greatest Dancer given new time slot after ratings war smashing by Masked Singer

BBC bosses have been forced to give The Greatest Dancer a new time slot after it was smashed in a ratings war with ITV’s The Masked Singer.

In a bid to up viewing numbers the Beeb has shifted The Greatest Dancer to a slot half an hour earlier – it previously started at the same time as the rival show.

The Masked Singer, which sees famous faces perform in wacky disguises, pulled in a huge 5.3million viewers on Saturday night.

Celebs are judged by Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Ken Jeong.

• 
  The Masked Singer in explosive sexism row as judges lust over Justin Hawkins

• 
  The Darkness' Justin Hawkins skipped mate’s wedding to appear on Masked Singer

It made its way to British screens after becoming a hit in South Korea, Australia and the US, where Ken was previously a judge.

The Greatest Dancer, which features Cheryl Tweedy and Oti Mabuse as dance coaches, managed a more disappointing 3.1 million viewers.

Last week The Greatest Dancer ran from 7pm to 8.10pm on BBC, and the Masked Singer from 7pm to 8.30pm on ITV.

• 
  The Masked Singer fans expose Hedgehog's identity after his posh accent slips

• 
  Masked Singer fans joke Nicola Roberts will be furious after being 'mistaken' for Nadine Coyle

The new schedule means The Masked Singer — starring panellists Jonathan Ross, Rita Ora, Ken Jeong and Davina McCall — will now go up against Pointless Celebrities on BBC1 this week.

The schedule switch-up comes as The Masked Singer became embroiled in a sexism row over judges lusting after contestant Justin Hawkins.

The Darkness star, who was revealed as the man in the Chameleon suit, claimed Rita Ora and the others wouldn’t have got away with their comments if he was a woman.

Source: Read Full Article