Strictly Come Dancing final watched by record breaking number of people

The 2016 series was the most watched series in Strictly history

Joanne Clifton and Ore Oduba with the glitterball trophy after winning Strictly Come Dancing 2016

(BBC)

For over 12 years, Strictly Come Dancing has been entertaining TV watchers across Britain, every year becoming seemingly more and more popular.

The BBC series reached new heights in 2016, the 14th series’ grand final being watched by an average of 11.8 million people (a 53.5% audience share), peaking at 13.1 million viewers.

Overall, the series has become the most popular in the show’s history, an average 11.3 million viewers tuning in every week for the Saturday shows, dropping to 10.5 million for the Sunday results.

In comparison, the 2015 results show was watched by an average 11 million viewers, peaking at 11.9 million. The increase in viewers year-on-year was likely helped by The X Factor finishing a week early.

Saturday night’s show saw Ore Oduba awarded the glitterball trophy, the BBC Sports presenter wowing viewers with two perfect scoring dances. He was up against former Eternal singer Louise Redknapp and former Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac.

Last year's Strictly Come Dancing champion was The Wanted's Jay McGuiness who beat out soap stars Georgia May Foote and Kellie Bright to emerge the winner.