TV ratings on a 20-year high

Published on Sunday 19 December 2010 15:00

TELEVISION has rarely been so popular. After the massive success of ITV's The X Factor, the BBC was last night celebrating one of its biggest viewing weekends for the last 20 years thanks to the popularity of two of the nation's most loved reality shows.

• Ballroom champions Kara Tointon and professional partner Artem Chingvintsev. Picture: PA

BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing reported its highest audience figures ever with 14.5 million tuning in to see Saturday's final, following a series that received massive publicity due to the efforts of the self-confessed "dancing elephant", Ann Widdecombe.

And last night's final of The Apprentice - won by Stella English - was estimated to have attracted around nine million viewers.

The figures - confirmation that UK audiences find reality television strictly essential viewing - were boosted by the weather, which prompted many to stay in front of their TV sets rather than venture out.

But even so, TV critics say it is an exceptional performance when audiences are fragmented by hundreds of digital channels.

The BBC accepted that the poor weather over much of the country may have contributed to the record figure for Strictly Come Dancing.

A spokesman said: "14.5 million is the highest peak figure ever for the show."

Last year's series attracted average viewers of 9.7 million and in 2008 the final was watched by 10.6million people.

The BBC spokesman added: "The weather might have been a factor as viewing figures always rise in the winter, but I actually think people would have tuned in anyway to see who won.

"We are not in it for ratings - we are about making great content and making sure people enjoy the programme, but to get good ratings is lovely."

The record figures for Strictly were not a reality TV record, however, as the recent X Factor final on rival ITV1 scooped a massive 19.5million viewers.

• Analysis: Popularity is always the driving force

Television critic Paul Whitelaw said the snow had undoubtedly contributed to the record figure, but that the UK would never see a return to the viewing figures seen in the 1970s.

He said: "The harsh winter weather may encourage a few more bums on sofas to share in an approximation of a collective 1970s-style viewing experience, but we'll never return to the days of 28 million viewers huddled around the box at exactly the same time."

He said the plethora of channels and ways to view television had changed the viewing landscape forever.But he said major television events, such as reality TV finals like The Apprentice last night, would always attract big audiences in the way the festive specials of Morecambe and Wise once did.

He said: "The only major difference today is that audience shares have altered in accordance with changes in technology."

Strictly was won by former EastEnders actress Kara Tointon who said she had not expected to win "in a million years".

However, she was forced to go to hospital yesterday to receive treatment for torn ligaments after hurting her wrist in rehearsals.

Tointon and her Russian dance partner Artem Chigvintsev drew standing ovations throughout the tense final of the ballroom competition and their performances were rewarded with top marks from the judges.

Their Viennese Waltz to Cry Me A River drew the most applause and prompted judge Craig Revel Horwood to say: "I would kill to be able to dance like that, I thought it was amazing."

Meanwhile, Stella English was crowned Lord Sugar's new Apprentice - and said she had been driven to win for the sake of her children.

The 31-year-old banker beat Chris Bates, 24, to the highly-prized job working for Lord Sugar after 12 weeks of tasks.

English, who left school with no qualifications but worked her way up to a senior job with a Japanese investment bank, said she hoped her win would inspire others to realise they can achieve what they set out to.