Return Of The Spooks Lures 5.8 Million

The return of MI5 drama Spooks to BBC One lured more than 5.8 million adults to the channel last night, giving the station a 28% viewing share between 9pm and 10pm.

The high adrenaline series with its far-fetched but exhilarating plot lines was the most watched programme in the timeslot, up against Britain’s Biggest Storm on ITV1, which recounted the events of 16 October 1987, when the greatest storm for 300 years raged across southern England.

Almost 4.4 million adults on average saw the show, giving the channel a 22% audience share at the time. Meanwhile, CSI: Miami over on Five drew an audience of almost three million, or a 10% share.

Earlier in the evening, Holby City was the most watched programme between 8pm and 9pm, with more than 5.5 million adult viewers (27%), whilst an extended Emmerdale easily beat EastEnders in the earlier slot.

The rural soap, which was celebrating its 35th anniversary with a special hour-long episode, attracted almost 7.1 million adult viewers on average, giving ITV1 a 38.2% share.

Meanwhile, just over 5.1 million (27%) tuned in to BBC One, to see Jane fighting for her life after being shot by the sinister Steven Beale.

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, ITV2 and Sky One.

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com Five: 020 7550 5555 www.five.tv