Strictly Come Dancing continued its successful Saturday night reign as the latest episode peaked with four million more viewers than its main rival, knackered pop reality soap opera The X Factor.
The Press Association reports that Saturday night's Strictly, which saw Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore become emotional after she made a small mistake during her routine and Louise Redknapp ease her way to the top of the scoreboard, was watched by 9.7 million UK viewers on average and a peak of 10.7 million.
This compares to ITV's singing show - which airs later in the evening and with a 20-minute overlap - hitting a peak of 6.7 million and an average of 5.5 million in the overnight figures.
— Laura Whitmore (@thewhitmore) November 5, 2016
Strictly had an audience share of 46.2% for the evening's viewing, while The X Factor scored 27%.
This follows the ongoing trend for the star-studded dancing programme smashing Simon Cowell's talent contest out of the park, although figures for The X Factor have been steady this series.
Redknapp scored three 10s from the judges for her sizzling routine with professional partner Kevin Clifton on the night, putting her in first place on the leader board.
The former singer received high praise from head judge Len Goodman, as he raved "there was nothing I didn't like".
The competition between the remaining nine celebrity contestants is hotting up with the famous Blackpool ballroom special just two weeks away.
Former British shadow chancellor Ed Balls managed to beat his series-best score from last week, but he is at the bottom of the scoreboard with 27 points.
Mr Balls and his professional partner Katya Jones were dressed as Laurel and Hardy for their Quickstep to Help! by The Beatles.
While their routine did not earn them a top spot, it did prompt Judge Craig Revel-Horwood to praise Mr Balls's dancing efforts.
Hoofin' beats spoofin' once again on Saturday nights
He said: "I can't believe I'm actually saying this - you are actually improving, which is brilliant to see."
TV star Judge Rinder was berated by judges Revel-Horwood and Bruno Tonioli over his facial expressions.
The barrister tackled the quickstep with partner Oksana Platero to Chantz Powell's version of It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), and pulled his usual array of faces mid-dance.
Tonioli told him: "You look very good, you don't need to do the trout pout. You don't need it."
TV presenter Laura Whitmore was emotional after she made a small mistake during her samba to Bamboleo by Gipsy Kings.
Judge Darcey Bussell lightened the mood by commenting on a solo section of the dance by Whitmore's professional partner, Giovanni Pernice.
Bussell quipped: "I quite enjoyed Giovanni's end."
Early favourite Danny Mac opened the show with a sizzling jive to Little Richard's Long Tall Sally, which earned him two 10s.
Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford and his partner Natalie Lowe were overjoyed as they managed to reclaim their higher spot on the leaderboard.
Rutherford became tearful last week after receiving very low scores, but was praised by Goodman this week.
The head judge told him: "Well, it's firework night and you've come back with a bang. You're back, well done."
Following her sassy performance, Redknapp has become the favourite to win the show.
"Louise Redknapp's performance tonight prompted a huge gamble on the singer going all the way in the competition where her odds were slashed in half this evening," said Coral bookmaker John Hill.
Hill added: "Laura Whitmore is the favourite to leave this weekend and miss out on a place in Blackpool, while the betting suggests either Ed Balls or Daisy Lowe will be in the dance-off with her."
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Sunday night at 7:15 pm on BBC One.
