4m watch Wallace uncover Supermarket ‘Secrets’ on BBC One
Not content with getting his unique face onto our screens via the finale of MasterChef: The Professionals (BBC Two, 8pm), omnipresent former greengrocer and current general food-related professional Gregg Wallace was back in the prime time slot for another instalment of his seasonal investigative show Christmas Supermarket Secrets (BBC One, 9pm).
The third episode of the thrilling expose saw Wallace once again snoop around various supermarkets in his typically feigned authoritative manner, sharing with viewers many startling revelations. For example; did you know that Christmas is quite a busy period for the national grocery retailers? Thank God Wallace was on hand to shed some light on their plight and repeatedly state the obvious.
A whopping audience of 4 million viewers tuned in for the eye-opening Christmas Supermarket Secrets (turkeys are popular), resulting in the 9pm slot’s biggest audience and a 19% share.
Slightly more highbrow was BBC Two’s offering with the second episode of The Silent War (9pm). The show, which looked at the underwater playing field of the Cold War, attracted 1.3 million viewers who watched on the edge of their seats to find out if the earth was about to be wiped out by a nuclear skirmish, netting a 6% share.
Meanwhile, ITV dedicated an hour of their schedule to Susan Boyle’s mental health as she geared up for her first ever tour. Blessed with an extremely vehement fanbase, There’s Something About Susan (9pm) saw the humble singer determined to overcome her nerves in order to maximise her profits.
3.2 million viewers (a 15% share) jumped aboard the Boyle Bandwagon, with 244,000 of those braving the experience in all its HD glory.
Channel 4’s late evening was dedicated to The British Comedy Awards 2013 (9pm) a two hour extravaganza that brought together all of the UK’s top talent, locked them in a room and supplied them with an endless crate of alcohol and plastic awards.
1.3 million watched as Alan Carr slayed Graham Norton for the Most Painfully Awkward Chat Show Award (probably), netting a 7% share.
Earlier at 8pm, BBC Two saw Gregg Wallace’s first outing of the evening as nervous dispositions were set to maximum for the last edition of MasterChef: The Professionals. The constantly good performer managed to bag an audience of 3.7 million viewers – resulting in BBC Two’s biggest hit of the day with an audience share of 17% tuning in to see Steven Edwards crowned the winner of the sixth series.
Over on BBC One Julia Bradbury and Matt Allwright once again slapped on their safety gear and marvelled with exuberant fascination at everyday plebs doing their jobs. The second episode of Keeping Britain Safe 24/7 (8pm) saw the intrepid reporters bravely venture into a world where make-up and hair stylists aren’t part and parcel of the job.
2.5 million viewers watched in awe as Julia and Matt defined the very concept of filler-TV as they spent some time with paramedics, search and rescue teams and other people that actually contribute to society, resulting in a 11% share.
Thursday’s soap battled pitched a double onslaught of Emmerdale (ITV, 7pm and 8pm) against a lone portion of EastEnders (BBC One, 7:30pm) with surprising results.
After a summer of getting trounced by its rural rival, EastEnders has been gathering strength in recent months, firmly positioning itself as the nation’s second favourite soap behind Coronation Street.
The first episode of Emmerdale saw Charity Tate consider mowing down a mother and child with her car, which secured the day’s biggest audience with 6.4 million viewers.
Over on BBC One, the continuing drunken antics of Roxy Moon in EastEnders caused concern for sister Ronnie, resulting in the day’s second biggest hit with 24,000 less viewers than Emmerdale.
The second episode of the Yorkshire soap saw its popularity fall to 5.8 million viewers, with the infanticide plot perhaps proving too much for some.
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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