Sky One ratings climb with 'Gladiators'

Gladiators made an impressive return to UK television last night, attracting Sky One's second largest audience of the year so far.

The reincarnation of the '90s hit attracted 1.5m viewers, or 11.6% of the viewing audience, over an hour from 6pm - trouncing the multichannel competition and putting it on a level pegging with the terrestrial channels.

The figure is nearly five times larger than the channel's 322,000 (1.6%) slot average for the year to date. So far this year, only David Jason drama The Colour of Magic has earned a better audience, with 1.6m (8.2%) on March 23.

Gladiators was followed by another newcomer, Shane Richie-fronted gameshow Don't Forget The Lyrics, which drew a strong 946,000 (6.1%).

Elsewhere on digital-only stations, Come Dine With Me took a decent 427,000 (3.3%) from 6.15pm for More4; while ITV2's repeat of the American Idol results show, on at 6pm, was seen by 179,000 (1.1%).

> Video: Meet the new Gladiators