12 million watch 'Pop Idol' final

Around 12 million tuned in to watch Michelle McManus win Pop Idol on Saturday night, early ratings figures indicate.

Overall, the final - which aired on ITV1 between 6.45pm and 9.30pm - drew an average of 10.9 million viewers, a 45.7% share of the audience.

The audience peaked at 12.1 million (52.0%) at 7.40pm, 1.1 million down on last year's average of 13.2 million. Whilst the figures were slightly down, the programme did run over a longer time period - almost three hours - and was still a massive ratings success for the network.