The emotional 'journey' to Strictly's glitterball begins

My friend Peg and I went to the bread shop yesterday to buy our Saturday loaves.

- Sarah Crompton

She popped extra snacks and cheese in her basket.

“Strictly starts tonight,” she said. “I’ve got the family round.”

I felt a pang. Time was when I, too, would have been watching Strictly Come Dancing, the staple of Saturday night entertainment that brings people together around the flickering light of the glitterball. But not any more. I have fallen out of love with it. I dip in and out, but for me it is no longer the must-watch that did so much to popularise dance and was a firm appointment each weekend for all the family.

My disaffection is not unique, but it barely troubles the BBC's viewing figures. Last year's final, which saw comedian Chris McCausland, who is blind, lift the trophy with his professional dancing partner Dianne Buswell, was watched by 8.6 million people at its peak. It was slightly down on the previous year's 8.8 million but not enough to worry rating-conscious bosses.