Love Island Playmate Stuns Big Brother

ITV hit back against Channel 4 in the battle between reality shows last night, with Celebrity Love Island‘s ratings topping Big Brother as ex-playboy playmate Nikki Ziering entered the show to deliver a resounding win for ITV.

Last night’s performance was second only to that of the programme’s launch night (see 5.7 Million Join ITV For Celebrity Love In), with an average of 4.7 million viewers notching up a 22% share. Big Brother, meanwhile, averaged 3.8 million to attain a 20% share.

At least some of ITV’s success can be attributed to the entrance of former Playboy model and actress, Nikki Ziering, who caught the eye of fellow islander Paul Danan within minutes, causing bitching and bitterness amongst several of her female beach-mates.

Channel 4, meanwhile, will be hoping for a boost to Big Brother‘s ratings on Friday, when another housemate is evicted from the now infamous house in London’s Elstree Studios.

Last week’s eviction of white witch Mary drew a peak audience of 5.3 million reality fans as the unpopular housemate left the house and was interviewed by host, Davina McCall (see Big Brother Beats Love Island As BBC Stays On Top).

Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com