Entertainment

Britain's Got Talent attracts biggest TV audience of 2017 so far

It drew an even bigger number of viewers than last week.
It drew an even bigger number of viewers than last week. It drew an even bigger number of viewers than last week.

Britain’s Got Talent has drawn the biggest TV audience of the year so far, with 9.2 million people tuning in to watch the second episode of the series.

Saturday night’s instalment secured a 44% share of viewers as an all-girl dance troupe won their slot in the semi-final after wowing judge Alesha Dixon.

Just Us were a golden buzzer choice (Thames/Syco Entertainment)
Just Us were a golden buzzer choice (Thames/Syco Entertainment)
Just Us were a golden buzzer choice (Thames/Syco Entertainment)

The star pushed the coveted golden buzzer for five-piece group Just Us, whose lead member battles with the spinal condition scoliosis.

The show increased its audience on last week, when it was watched by 8.7 million people and 42% of viewers, to score the highest TV rating of 2017.

It has overtaken an episode of BBC’s Call The Midwife which drew 9.1 million, ITV said.

The figures for ITV include viewers of the ITV+1 and ITV HD channels.

The audience for the talent show, hosted by Ant & Dec, peaked at 10.2 million.

Ant and Dec will be called to the stage again.
Ant and Dec will be called to the stage again.
Ant and Dec (ITV/PA)

Doctor Who’s second episode of the series pulled in 4.3 million in the overnight ratings, giving BBC One a 23% share of the audience.

While slightly lower than the 4.6 million viewers who tuned in for the series opener, the ratings show an improvement on the second episode of the previous series, when 3.7 million people tuned in.

Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who (BBC)

Comedy chat show All Round To Mrs Brown’s, which featured guests Peter Andre, Gareth Malone and Steps, pulled in five million viewers, peaking at 5.2 million and with an audience share of 28%.

ITV dating show Take Me Out was watched by three million viewers as presenter Paddy McGuinness said the episode was a tribute to one of its contestants, who has since died.