TV Overnights: New series of Who Do You Think You Are? pulls in 4.9m for BBC One
Last night’s telly fun saw the return of an old favourite as the original ‘let’s make celebrities cry’ programme and guaranteed ratings draw Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC One, 9pm) came back for a tenth series.
The concept of turning real life teary ordeals into guilt-free viewing isn’t a new one but the genealogical show was the first to convince the famous and beautiful that to take part – thanks to some originally vague high-brow intent.
First to step up to the roller coaster of emotional suffering was eccentric actress Una Stubbs (Aunt freaking Sally). As the artiste stared into the bleak mirror of traumas past, the usual secrets came flooding out – scandal, adultery, illegitimate children and a workhouse tour of duty all showed up on cue.
The latest round of discovery (and some cathartic revelation just in time for the closing credits) won the biggest audience in the 9pm slot with 4.9 million viewers (a 23% share) tuning in.
At the same time on BBC Two, the second part of The Real White Queen and Her Rivals (a lot more boring and clothed than her Sunday night counterpart) saw novelist Philippa Gregory basically get away with putting out a show that was probably commissioned as a DVD boxset extra in the prime time slot. 1.3 million viewers tuned in for the more sobering version of the tale.
Ray Mears was back for a second slice of adventuring at 9pm on ITV as the fearless outdoors man tracked down the ferocious Tasmanian Devil on the lost mythical island of Tasmania. The second and concluding part of Ray Mears’ Close Encounters pulled in 2 million viewers, translating to a 10% share.
In much more exciting news, Channel 5’s rewarding import Big Brother finally graduated to the 9pm slot, although this might have been a one-off scheduling change than a logical change of tack. The latest conversation between the terminally vacant pulled in 1.4 million viewers and a 6% share.
This change made way for Irish criminal drama Love/Hate at 10pm. The grimy show, starring ex Misfits Robert Sheehan, garnered some critical acclaim but was only watched by 691,000 million viewers.
An hour earlier at 8pm was consumer outrage show Your Money Their Tricks (BBC One) presented by Captain Obvious herself, Sian Williams. The final episode saw the intrepid reporter general personality uncover the shocking fact that giant corporations mightn’t have our individual interests at heart.
An impressive 3.8 million viewers tuned in, beating ITV’s offering The Zoo, which managed an audience of 3.5 million viewers.
Earlier on in the day, things continued to get even battier down Emmerdale (ITV, 7pm) way as the double crossing, blackmail, psychological warfare and cover ups continued. It’s far too messy to sum up here, but 5.9 million people enjoyed the bout of the teatime rural Dynasty, resulting in a 35% share and the second biggest show of the day.
Which meant that reigning queen Coronation Street (ITV, 7:30pm) remained firmly perched in its soapy throne. But instead of the high drama of Emmerdale, things were a bit too real in Weatherfield.
A lower than usual – but still Wednesday’s biggest audience – 6.9 million viewers watched as Hayley was overcome with fear and grief as she prepared for her operation. A 38% share tuned in to see Roy bumble through the poignant scenes in his own special manner.
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 and key multi-channel stations.