TV Overnights: Ian Beale’s misery still a major draw for BBC One
Last night on EastEnders (7:30pm) the cold hand of fate moved its attention from a departed Bianca, putting all its focus on a more deserving Ian Beale. A 38% audience share tuned in to see Ian get some comeuppance after firing half the cast in the last few days. Depressingly enough, he probably is Walford’s biggest employer, so these things do tend to come back and bite you.
The Ghost of Christmas Past came in the shape of a health inspector, who didn’t waste much time in failing Ian (in regards to the café, not his personal hygiene). If that wasn’t enough, the grim face of his accountant was the next deity to bring some bad news. 55 weddings in, its no wonder the man is broke. Tuesday was a relatively quiet night for soaps, with the lack of drama-fatigue helping capture an impressive 8.1 million viewers for BBC One.
Meanwhile ITV1 dedicated the primetime schedule to celebrating two momentous anniversaries. First up was William and Kate: the First Year (8pm), an even-handed documentary detailing the royal couple’s first year of marriage, featuring interviews with everyone who has been in the same room as them in the last twelve months. 3.8 million viewers tuned in to see everyone agree that Will and Kate are just brilliant, grabbing a 17% audience share for ITV1.
Next up was the not-so-brilliant Osama Bin Laden, with ITV1 marking a year since his death with a two hour extravaganza. The Hunt for Bin Laden at 9pm was a less-glamorous affair and focused on the effort that went into the raid that resulted in the terrorist leader’s death. White House insiders and shadowy government-types walked us through the details, helping catch 2.2 million viewers.
Over on BBC Two Si King and Dave Myers conveniently wrapped up their European road trip on Spain’s sunny shores. The middle aged bikers have enjoyed a splendid journey through the continent over the past eight weeks, all on the tax payer’s money, even managing to pop in and catch up with some family members along the way. It seems to be money well spent though, with last night’s final of The Hairy Biker’s Bakeation (9pm) providing BBC Two’s biggest audience of the day with 2.7 million viewers.
This was followed by the final episode of Meet the Romans with Mary Beard (9pm), as the professor explored ancient roman life behind closed doors. With the enthusiasm of a TOWIE cast member flicking through a copy of Heat, Mary filled us in on the tale of the drunken housewife; the scandal of the freedwoman caught up in a ménage a trois and the death of working child at the hands of his pushy parents. 1.9 million viewers caught up with the latest gossip from Rome.
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.