TV Overnights: the mere possibility of David Platt’s death proves successful for ITV
For countless viewers, last night’s instalment of Coronation Street (ITV, 7:30pm) was a piece of fan fiction come true.
After many years of communicating through extreme face gurning, high-pitched screeches of protest and generally acting like an all-round dick, David Daniel Platt finally had enough.
The troubled child of Weatherfield has survived murderous neighbours, trams flying through the sky, countless fiery explosions and an extremely flaky mother. But in the end it was a broken heart that sent David to the edge.
Upon learning of his wife’s infidelity (with his own brother, naturally – the Street is traditionally an extremely incestuous community) David found the nearest cliff top and stared into the abyss.
The dramatic bid for the nation’s attention seemed to have paid off. The midweek helping of Coronation Street attracted the day’s biggest audience with over 7 million people tuning in to see if David would spare the nation of his unique presence, securing a 39% share.
Half an hour earlier at 7pm, ITV’s other soap initiated an evening of top-quality prime time programming. So what was on offer last night in the quaint village of Emmerdale? Problems with a flock of randy sheep? A pedestrian gate being left open? More amiable pet issues with old dear Edna?
The soap’s writers decided to try a different tact than any of the above and instead a rotting corpse was unearthed for delighted teatime viewers. Poor farmhand Alex has been missing for months now, with none of the tight-knit community blinking an eyelid.
The grim discovery resulted in the rural soap being the third biggest hit of the day, with an audience of 5.8 million viewers. An audience share of 36% tuned in to see landowner Declan Macey shrug his shoulders at the discovery, showing more concern about his planned festival.
8pm brought the tearful finale of the current series of Watchdog (BBC One). As Anne Robinson was physically and emotionally incapable of displaying feelings, children’s entertainers Matt Allwright and Chris Hollins were on hand to ham it up.
A little over 4 million viewers tuned in to see the 708th series come to an end, securing the 8pm slot. A share of 21% watched Anne waggle her elongated finger at health foods and DIY shops. Over on ITV, All Star Mr and Mrs (8pm) secured 3.7 million viewers.
At 9pm on BBC One, The Apprentice creaked closer to the end as the teams crumbled under the pressure of inane and impossible tasks. Last night saw Lord Sugar of Cockney ask his squad of robots to package and market the alien concept of love. 6.1 million viewers caught up with the latest farce, winning the 9pm slot for BBC One.
At the same time, Alison Steadman continued to plod on through late middle age in the third episode of family comedy/drama (it can’t quite decide) Love and Marriage (9pm) on ITV.
After dumping her husband and turning her back on her selfish children, Alison’s character decided to celebrate her new life by meeting up with a teacher in a hotel. 3.2 million people watched the drama hit the halfway point, down from 4.6 million two weeks ago.
The show that turns serious injury and death into prime time entertainment enjoyed Channel 4’s biggest audience of the day. 9pm brought 24 Hours in A&E, with an audience of 1.9 million viewers tuning in for their weekly fix of death and pain, in beautiful HD action.
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.