Pedestrian 100th episode of WDYTYA? secures Thurs 9pm slot
The final episode of BBC One’s genealogical crying show Who Do You Think You Are? (9pm) aired last night, with the end of the 11th series continuing to secure its usually solid audience despite delivering more of the same.
Yesterday’s final trip of the year down an emotionally traumatic memory lane heralded the successful shows 100th episode but there was very little to distinguish last night’s ancestral adventure for the 99 that came before.
The current series opened with 4.6 million viewers back in August, watching Julie Walters taking a trip to Ireland, and then peaked with 5.3 million a few months later as Brendan O’Carroll delved into Dublin’s dark past, with the run of episodes constantly winning the 9pm slot for BBC One.
Perhaps it was down to the fact that Twiggy remained dignified and stoic while uncovering the standard dark tragic secrets from her family tree but Thursday’s 100th episode didn’t do much to differentiate the milestone event from all other episodes.
A shockingly standard audience of 4.6 million tuned in to see the iconic model uncover the usual tales of poverty, workhouses and the occasional prison, netting a 21% share – just enough to secure the 9pm slot one last time.
Over on BBC Two, the second series of Peaky Blinders continued as Cillian Murphy’s crime boss, Tommy, crossed paths with dangerous London criminal Solomons, played by The Dark Knight Rises co-star Tom Hardy.
Despite the star wattage being noticeably upped, viewers fell from last week’s 1.7 million (itself down -30% on the first series) to 1.6 million, putting the big budget period drama in serious danger.
On Channel 4, the future of humanity was in doubt as Educating the East End (9pm) was watched by 1.1 million viewers and a 5% share, while Channel 5’s bizarre passive-antagonistic documentary series No Foreigners Here – 100% British (9pm) netted 759,000 viewers and a 4% share for the second week in a row.
Earlier at 8pm was the sneering home makeover show Your Home in Their Hands (BBC One), which gives struggling interior design ‘artistes’ free reign over stranger’s houses, resulting in some excellent viewing if you just generally hate people.
Hosted by a walking, talking lampoon of the human female, scary ‘professional’ interior designer Celia Sawyer added to the surreal daytime TV feel. 2.4 million viewers watched as family homes were massacred by rich kids from Shoreditch, resulting in an 11% share.
On BBC Two, Horizon wrapped up the unprecedented Cat Watch 2014 (8pm) which looked at how cats play us with their meowing and warned viewers about the future of the domestic cat. 2.2 million viewers tuned in for the final part of the study.
On Channel 4, Kirsty and Phil’s shtick continued as normal with Location, Location, Location (8pm) being watched by 1.3 million viewers and a 6% share, while a repeat of Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole was watched by 1.1 million viewers and a 5% share.
ITV’s entire evening was dedicated to a Euro 2016 Qualifier (7:15pm) as England faced off against micro state San Marino with kick off at 7:45pm. A total audience of 4.8 million viewers tuned in for the two hours and 45 minutes of coverage, netting a 23% share.
An average audience of 4.5 million watched from 8pm to 9pm, just slightly lower than BBC One’s Who Do You Think You Are?.
Thanks to the football, Emmerdale kicked off earlier than usual at 6:45pm, with Robbie’s funeral taking centre stage. The tale of betrayal and revenge involving the Maceys and Charity took a sombre break last night before ramping up again next week. 4.6 million and a 24% share tuned in for a dose of rural crime.
But it was EastEnders at 7:30pm on BBC One which locked in the day’s biggest audience. 6 million viewers watched as Linda Carter flew the Vic to seek out some support after the disturbing recent events.
Unfortunately she chose to go to Sharon, the woman who just shot her husband on his wedding day, ultimately securing a 28% share.
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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. Overnight data supplied by TRP are based on 15 minute slot averages. This may differ from tape checked figures, which are based on a programme’s actual start and end time.
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