3.1 Million Watch Alan Johnston Kidnap Doco

Last night’s Panorama Special, looking at the kidnap and release after four months in captivity of BBC reporter Alan Johnston, won the 9pm ratings war last night, with a peak of 3.1 million adult viewers (a 16.3% share of the audience).

The show had an average of three million adult viewers (a 15.4% share) who stuck with it throughout its hour long running time.

Over on ITV1 at 9pm was The Whistleblowers, which had a peak of three million adults (a 15.4% share) and an average of 2.8 million (a 14.3% share).

Thursday night is comedy night on BBC Two, with a double-bill of The Life And Times Of Viviennne Vyle and The Peter Serafinowicz Show followed by The Graham Norton Show.

The Life And Times Of Viviennne Vyle, starring Jennifer Saunders, had a peak audience of 1.2 million adults (a 6.3% share), whilst the tongue-twisting The Peter Serafinowicz Show had a peak of 883,000 (a 4.6% share) in its 9.30pm slot.

The Graham Norton Show, on at 10pm, grabbed a peak of 1.2 million adults. The bawdy entertainer interviewed Mel C, who revealed the real reasons for her return to the Spice Girls.

Hollywood star Josh Hartnett was also on hand to talk about his ace new movie, while Rufus Wainwright and his band performed his new single Tiergarten.

Overnight data is available each morning in mediatel.co.uk’s TV Database, with all BARB registered subscribers able to view reports for terrestrial networks, ITV2 and Sky One.

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com