Len Goodman admits Strictly Come Dancing success is a mystery to him

Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge Len Goodman has admitted that he has no idea how the BBC1 show continues to win the ratings battle against The X Factor.

Len told The Sun: “I really don’t know why* Strictly* has captured everyone’s imaginations so much.

“When it was first going to be on I was convinced it wouldn’t work much. I didn't think many people would be interested.

“I would have probably put the show out on a Thursday after Newsnight. But they went full on Saturday night.

“They (BBC bosses) were really convinced that Strictly was going to be a success and they were obviously totally right.”

The Strictly Come Dancing album was released on Monday – the same day as* X Factor’s* annual musical offering.

Speaking about the launch, Len revealed he has been the driving force behind the album.

He said: “I’ve been on and on from about series two saying: ‘Why don’t you do an album?’ "But every year they’d say ‘no’. I think that the band and the four singers on our album can hold their own against many of the people on The X Factor.”

He continued: “When I have seen* X Factor*, I think it is a nice show. You get some really nice singers on there and I like the fact that people have got a choice.

“Of course I would prefer it if they all loved* Strictly* but that can’t be. If people prefer X Factor, well, lovely — well done and good luck.”

The worst Strictly dancers EVER!