'Strictly Come Dancing' beats 'X-Factor' in British finale showdown

Nearly 78 percent of the British primetime TV audience watched the final results shows for "Strictly Come Dancing" and "The X Factor."

And in one of the most hotly contested ratings battles in years the BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing" finale grabbed the lion's share of viewers Saturday with 48 percent, or 10.4 million, tuning in -- 1 million more viewers than ITV's "The X Factor," The Scotsman reported.

England cricketer Darren Gough danced to victory on "Strictly Come Dancing," while singer Shayne Ward emerged as "The X Factor" winner.

Although "Dancing" beat "Factor" in viewership, The Scotsman noted the ITV show had 10.8 million voters deciding its winner while the BBC show's outcome was decided by 5 million votes. The difference was probably due to the younger, text-savvy audience of "The X Factor," The Scotsman noted.