The Missing edges closer to the end, 5.3m still gripped
Tuesday night saw BBC One’s highly successful eight-part thriller, The Missing (9pm), lurch towards its no doubt devastating conclusion, with last night’s penultimate episode offering viewers a tantalising promise of some actual answers before cruelly snapping them away at the last minute.
The gripping drama, which focuses on the direct aftermath of a boy’s disappearance while on a family holiday in France, as well as his broken father’s desperate attempts at kick-starting another investigation eight years later, has secured quite a loyal following over the past two months.
Recently, the show has clashed with ITV’s big performers, with an England game and an episode of I’m a Celebrity… seeing the addictive but bleak tale’s audience fall below 5 million viewers on both occasions.
Despite the challenge of keeping viewers hooked for eight relentless episodes and the possibility of fatigue setting in after being faced with James Nesbitt’s anguished mourning face week after week, last night’s devastating semi-finale secured an audience of 5.3 million viewers, down slightly from the first episode’s haul of 5.8 million adults.
An audience share of 23% tuned in to see the flashback scenes jumping forward three years as another little boy went missing in France, throwing lost parents Tony and Emily – and the audience – into a tizzy and securing interest for next week’s finale.
Elsewhere, Channel 4 failed to resist the urge to fall back on exploitational, cheap and lazy itinerant-based entertainment as Big Fat Gypsy Weddings returned to haunt yesterday’s schedule with a seasonal-based comeback in the painfully titled My Big Fat Gypsy Christmas: Tinsel and Tiaras (9pm).
1.9 million people tuned in to see the special, no doubt filmed in July, as it treaded well-trodden ground while picking up a 8% share, Channel 4’s biggest hit of the day.
At the same time, Channel 5 cobbled together an hour of scheduled-filling content to pull at the heartstrings.
Kid’s Hospital at Christmas (9pm) (just to make the setting that bit more depressing) did exactly what it said on the tin, flashing images of deathly-ill children surrounded by Christmas paraphernalia and pulling in an audience of 1 million viewers and a 4% share.
BBC Two’s medieval castle building antics continued at 9pm as cosplay enthusiasts and super history friends, Ruth, Peter and Tom looked at the skills needed to finish off the impressive structure.
The fourth episode of Secrets of the Castle with Ruth, Peter and Tom (9pm) was watched by 1.5 million viewers, with the focus on the stonemasons, blacksmiths and carpenters netting a 6% share.
The majority of ITV’s evening was taken up by the latest UEFA Champions League Live action from Anfield, with coverage kicking off at 7:30pm. The entire 2.5 hour coverage secured an average audience of 4.1 million viewers, with the 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Swiss team, Basel, resulting in an 18% share.
Earlier at 8pm, the latest dramatic rounds through the halls of Holby City brought in 4.1 million viewers to BBC One, translating to an 18% share.
BBC Two’s ever reliable performer, MasterChef: The Professionals (8pm) was watched by 2.7 million viewers and a 12% share.
At the same time on Channel 4, Kirstie ‘crafty’ Allsopp was once again trying to convince audiences that her brand was by fuelled by twee and earthy domestic decorations as opposed to all out property greed.
Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas (8pm) saw the barely there aspirational figure wander through rural fêtes and bake offs while attempting a bit of kneading herself, securing 1.8 million viewers and an 8% share.
Earlier at 7pm, tiny tearaway Belle Dingle was rampaging through the streets of Emmerdale (ITV) on a vodka and guilt-fuelled binge of destruction. 5.6 million viewers watched as the teenage killer trashed the local shop, resulting in a 28% share.
Proving slightly more popular, was Tuesday’s biggest hit over on BBC One at 7:30pm as EastEnders brought more sunshine and happiness to living rooms across the nation.
6.5 million viewers watched as Tina Carter fell victim to her partner Tosh’s rage, with the violent scenes bringing in a 31% share.
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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