TV Overnights: Dramatic night helps EastEnders beats Coronation Street

Last night, the TV audience’s imagination was once again ruled by the soaps, but there was a twist in store! EastEnders‘s current storyline gave the show enough momentum to beat rival Coronation Street and provided BBC One with the biggest audience of the night.

Now that Ben Mitchell’s dark secret is finally out on EastEnders (BBC One, 7:30pm), his fate remained in the hands of soon-to-be step mother Shirley (her off Terrahawks). Why exactly she’s taking time out to ponder her future actions is a bit of a mystery but viewers have waited this long, they can handle another few days. Elsewhere Sharon used her time productively by reuniting Ian Beale Supertramp with daughter Lucy. 7.4 million viewers watched the latest segment of never ending drama, pulling in a 37% audience share.

Later on ITV,1 Izzy and Gary’s adoption plans hit a very early road block. A small bit of research regarding Gary’s criminal history could have saved them time, effort and heartbreak – but then we wouldn’t have a very interesting episode. 6.9 million viewers watched as Izzy’s little sister offered to carry the baby for them. Another regular day in Weathefield attracted a 31% share.

Because their 67 other TV shows weren’t enough The Hairy Bikers are back once again; this time under the guise of undoing all the damage they have done to their (and their viewers) bodies. So if you’ve followed all the Biker’s recipes over the years and you’re now in a state of clinical obesity, don’t worry. Si King and Dave Myers are on hand to guide you through your weight loss programme. There will probably be a tie-in book down at your local Waterstones too.

The third episode of Hairy Dieters: How to Love Food and Lose Weight (BBC Two, 8pm) saw the garden gnomes take the mantle to be the cure of extra weight rather than acknowledge they are also the cause. 3 million viewers tuned in to get some practical advice from the two charlatans, securing BBC Two’s biggest audience of the day.

While the onslaught of Olympic themed programming may have quietened down, the build up to the Paralympics in two weeks might change all that. Last night BBC Two aired The Best of Men, a 1.5 hour long drama charting the origins of the event. Niamh Cusack, Rod Brydon and Eddie Marsan starred as doctors and patients of Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire in 1948. The touching drama attracted 3 million viewers.

Over on Channel 5 at 10pm was the first night of highlights from the Celebrity Big Brother compound. Viewers showed up in similar numbers to the main show, with the first night locked in attracting 1.6 million people.

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.