1.9m viewers watch Prof Cox’s patriotic return on BBC Two

Grinning boffin Brian Cox returned to the prime time schedules last night, armed with his unique brand of vocal harmonies and seemingly gormless enthusiasm. BBC Two’s Science Britannica (9pm) was a less grand affair than Cox’s recent ambitious, expensive HD output that made up his two Wonders… series.

The first episode of the history programme about the UK’s impact in scientific advances, focused on the darker side of new discoveries, making for perfect pre-bedtime viewing.  1.9 million viewers went to bed worrying about the prospect of a nuclear fallout and moral complexities of eugenics, netting a 9% share.

Meanwhile over on BBC One, long-running tabloid party girl and sometimes singer/actress Marianne Faithfull braved a look back at her background on Who Do You Think You Are? (9pm). Naturally, Marianne uncovered a history of theatrical intrigue as her mother’s life read pretty much exactly like Cabaret.

4 million viewers tuned in for the suspicious and dramatically perfect emotional reveals, keeping consistent with this series’ popularity. A 19% share was enough for the genealogical show to secure the 9pm slot.

There were plenty more theatrics over on ITV as blood soaked gothic throwback Whitechaple (9pm) kicked off a brand new murder case. The first two episodes of the third series have seen ratings steadily decline and last night’s slice of Victorian gore was no different.

The tale of Tower Hamlet’s latest flayer of the innocent secured 3 million viewers, securing an audience share of 14%

At the same time, the latest audacious build on Grand Designs (9pm) attracted 2.2 million viewers. A 10% audience share watched as yet another ambitious couple stamped their mark in the world, the only way they knew how – with truckloads of concrete and money.

There was (relatively) good news for Channel 5 as the latest low rent reality project, Celebrity Super-Spa (9pm), increased its audience significantly (again, it’s all relative). The show about low grade reality show stars sitting around and painting each other’s nails somehow failed to explode in popularity when it was launched last Friday.

But at least there seems to be some sign of growth as the dressing gown-clad tools managed to increase the audience from 500,000 viewers to 774,000 night on night. The spray tanning ‘fun’ featuring her from the lads’ mags and the vegetable from TOWIE brought in a 4% share for the channel.

At 8pm Anne Robinson kept your Nan entertained with tales of danger lurking around every corner in Watchdog. The latest bout of grim re-enactments was watched by 4 million viewers, a 19% share and the biggest audience in the 8pm slot.

Meanwhile, BBC Two brought viewers the refreshing alternative to Kevin McCloud and his moneyed acquaintances on Grand Designs – The House That £100k Built did exactly what it said on the tin. The low grade show about getting your mates to muck in was watched by an 11% share.

The horror of Big Star’s Little Star (8pm) continued on ITV, meaning the NSPCC has failed to step in as of yet. 3.5 million people watched as former Steps star and a former MP dragged their kids on camera for their own personal benefits, netting a 17% share.

ITV held the monopoly on soap action last night, kicking things off in an over the top manner with Emmerdale (7pm). The quaint tale of murder, backstabbing and organic farming secured 6.8 million viewers and a 36% share.

But it was its Manc cousin, Coronation Street, that ultimately won the nations heart and the biggest audience of the day. 7.7 million viewers (a 37% share) watched as Hayley made the decision to contact her violent son before she goes to the great cobbles in the sky.

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.