Period crime caper Peaky Blinders returns to BBC Two with 2m

Yesterday’s unusually seasonable weather saw viewers across the UK ignore their TVs en masse, with last night’s premier televisual options failing to make much of an impact.

BBC One had the highest amount of viewers at 9pm with the return and a tried and near-exhausted format as man child Gareth Malone gathered together another group of deserving underdogs and forced them to sing for their lives.

The first part of Gareth’s Invictus Choir (9pm) saw a choir of wounded ex-servicemen and women get together to overcome their nerves with hopes of performing at the Invictus Games in Florida.

Yes, we’ve seen it all before, but that didn’t seem to matter too much – any other evening 3.6 million viewers probably wouldn’t be enough to secure the prime time window but last night’s depopulated playing field saw the show come out on top with an 18% share.

At the same time, BBC Two other quality drama returned for a third series with Cillian Murphy and his gang of Peaky Blinders (9pm) bringing more havoc to the streets of olde timey Birmingham.

2 million viewers tuned in for the mysterious wedding of Murphy’s Thomas Shelby, with the ensuing and inevitable bloodshed securing a 10% share.

Over on ITV, Emma Willis was back to warm some cockles in the second instalment in the still bizarrely named What Would Be Your Miracle? at 9pm.

1.5 million viewers watched as Emma met a little girl who was about to hear for the first time, resulting in an 8% share.

Meanwhile on Channel 4, the latest episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody (9pm) featured a surprise appearance from a special guest star, EDL’s Tommy Robinson.

1.4 million viewers watched as the controversial activist was brought in after a scuffle, resulting in the channel’s biggest audience of the day and a 7% share.

At the same time it was Channel 5’s turn to provide some sweet relief from the harsh realities of life with the second half of the visual Xanax that is The Secret Life of Puppies (9pm). 1.1 million viewers watched as the fluffy bags of happiness fell over a lot and generally just ran about, resulting in a 6% share.

At 8pm, the penultimate episode in MasterChef‘s current run secured 4.6 million viewers while Kangaroo Dundee and Other Animals Part 1: Natural World brought in 1.2 million viewers to BBC Two.

On Channel 4, Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It (8pm) saw the property powerhouse continue to dish out their particular brand of pompous shtick while bagging 1.2 million viewers.

Elsewhere, it was all about counting pennies with Channel 5’s On Benefits: Life on the Dole (8pm) securing 824,000 viewers while ITV’s Bargain Shop Wars (8:30pm) grabbed the attention of 2 million viewers.

Earlier, a double delivery of fresh Emmerdale (ITV) goodness saw the manure-reeking soap 5 million viewers (a 32% share) at 7pm, followed by 4.4 million viewers (a 23% share) at 8pm.

But it was EastEnders (BBC One, 7:30pm) that stole the day’s top spot, with the latest Mitchell family difficulties pulling in 5.3 million viewers and a 31% share.

Overnight data is available each morning in mediatel.co.uk’s TV Database, with all BARB registered subscribers able to view reports for terrestrial networks and key multi-channel stations. Overnight data supplied by TRP are based on 15 minute slot averages. This may differ from tape checked figures, which are based on a programme’s actual start and end time.

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