Monday, September 8, 2014 9:23am ET by  
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X Factor's Simon Cowell admits defeat in Strictly Come Dancing ratings battle

Simon Cowell has admitted defeat in this weekend's ratings battle between the X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing.

After launching last weekend, the UK X Factor aired its fourth show on Sunday (September 7) on ITV.

However, the debut of Strictly Come Dancing hit screens at the same time on BBC One.

It has been revealed that the dancing show - which features Pixie Lott and Frankie Bridge - had an average audience of 8.4 million, with Sunday's X Factor landing 7.6 million.

Cowell, who has returned as an X Factor judge this year, commented today (September 8): "Round one to them. Such a shame they were both on at the same time."

ITV's figures include viewing data from their +1 channel, meaning that the true head-to-head figure for Sunday's X Factor was about 7 million.

The fourth show on last year's X Factor series meanwhile was watched by 9.6 million.

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Watch clips from this year's X Factor below: