Strictly Come Dancing have become the champions of the weekend ratings battle once more.

The BBC dance show topped the charts last night again, attracting more viewers than their ITV rival for the third week running.

The Hollywood themed episode, which saw Denise Van Outen top the leaderboard with her Toy Story themed foxtrot and Lisa Riley come a close second with her jive to ‘Hanky Panky, averaged 9.9 million viewers over it’s almost two hour long show. It is almost exactly the amount that also tuned in last weekend.

The figure amounts to a 44.2% share, and at it’s peak, 11.3 million people tuned in to see Brendan Cole as ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ and Nicky Byrne as ‘The Mask.’

On the other hand the X Factor shed viewers for the third week running. They brought in an average of just 8.6 million viewers (including ITV+1 figure) as they stuck with a club classics theme.

Jahmene Douglas could have brought tears to a stone with his emotional rendition of ‘Say A Little Prayer’ and fan favourite Ella Henderson won rave reviews for her show closing performance but less people than ever tuned in to watch the contestants shine.

The ITV show peaked at 9.3 million viewers.

Both shows will lose a contestant this evening, with Chris Maloney and Rylan Clark being tipped by bookies to be eliminated from The X Factor. To sweeten the pill though, viewers will be treated to performances by JLS, Emeli Sande and Labrinth.

Who do you think will leave? Leave your comments below…