Finally for the first time this series Strictly Come Dancing has attracted more viewers than its ITV rival The X Factor.

Fiona Phillips’s exit from the dance show drew 7.8million viewers while only 7.3million saw Kate Thornton hug a tearful Chenai Zinyuku, 17, as she left X Factor.

ITV insiders blamed bonfire night for the disappointing figures. One said: “X Factor has a younger audience. A lot were out at firework displays. The older viewers stayed in for the ballroom show.”

A BBC spokeswoman said: “It’s fantastic. We hope it continues.”