TV ratings: December 16

Parky bids farewell to TV chat

Leigh Holmwood
guardian.co.uk, Monday December 17 2007 11.36 GMT

Michael Parkinson's last ever chatshow pulled in 8.3 million viewers to ITV1 last night, Sunday December 16, with guests including Billy Connolly, Dame Judi Dench, David Beckham and Peter Kay.

The talkshow veteran, who will finally sign off next Saturday with a clip show featuring his favourite interviews from his four decades on air, pulled in an average audience share of 35% between 9pm and 11pm, according to unofficial overnights.

Parky went up against the last episode of BBC1's period drama Cranford in its first hour, which also starred Dench.

Cranford concluded its successful five-week run with 7.2 million viewers and a 27% share between 9pm and 10pm.

BBC2's live coverage of the concluding session of the final of snooker's UK championships picked up 1.5 million viewers and a 6% share between 8pm and 11pm.

Channel Five's terrestrial premiere of Jude Law and Julia Roberts movie Closer picked up 700,000 viewers and a 3% share between 9pm and 11pm.

Channel 4's movie repeat A Knight's Tale scored 1.7 million viewers and an 8% share between 9pm and 11.25pm.

The Strictly Come Dancing results show, in which Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones was kicked off, brought 8.9 million viewers and a 35% share to BBC1 between 6.50pm and 7.35pm.

Antiques Roadshow picked up 6.1 million viewers and a 23% share in the 8pm hour, also on BBC1.

ITV1's Sunday drama triumvirate saw Emmerdale pick up 5.7 million viewers and a 22% share from 7pm, Coronation Street score 9.7 million and 38% from 7.30pm, and Heartbeat attract 7.7 million and 29% in the 8pm hour.

Channel 4's new series Make Me a Muslim, in which six volunteers agree to live under Islamic law to learn more about the religion, launched with 1.3 million viewers and a 5% share between 8pm and 9pm.

Five's second terrestrial film premiere of the evening, Holly Hunter movie Little Black Book, picked up 600,000 viewers and a 3% share.

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