'Bleak House' sheds a million

Charles Dickens adaptation Bleak House lost a million viewers week-on-week yesterday (Thursday), according to early figures.

The latest episode of the drama pulled in an average of 5.62 million (42.1%) for BBC One between 8pm and 8.30pm - good enough for sixth place overall but down on last week's 6.61 million (28.9%). The Queen's Cavalry dropped to 4.2 million (17.7%) in the latter half of the hour.

ITV1's The Bill finished first for the hour and third overall, drawing an average of 6.31 million (26.8%). Gordon Ramsay's The F Word improved to 2.44 million (10.4%) for Channel 4, topping BBC Two's Restored to Glory (2.12 million, 9%).

BBC One reclaimed the lead at 9pm with Spooks, which averaged 5.67 million (25.2%) over the last part of ITV1's All About George (4.24 million, 18.9%). A genetic-themed Horizon had 2.22 million (9.8%) over C4 documentary Wanted: New Mum and Dad, which put in 1.99 million (8.8%). Five's coverage of the UEFA Cup game between Bolton Wanderers and FC Zenit St Petersburg held a steady 1.96 million (8.6%) through primetime.

EastEnders was the day's top performer with 10.7 million (48.8%) at 7.30pm, keeping Emmerdale in second with 9.06 million (44.1%).

Amongst the multichannels, Leo DiCaprio movie The Beach had 362,000 (2.7%) for ITV2 between 9pm and 11.15pm, triumphing over BBC Three's new series of Who Rules the Roost?, which put in 260,000 (1.6%) in the 9pm hour.

MTV enjoyed some of its best ratings in months with coverage of the highly-publicised Europe Music Awards. The ceremony, broadcast between 8pm and 10.30pm, averaged 206,000 (1.3%) and brought in strong figures for the ensuing South Park, which had 144,000 (1.3%).