9.9m see big clash
THE first UK televised leaders’ debate was watched by almost 10 million viewers, beating Coronation Street and EastEnders to become the most watched programme of the day.
Thursday night’s 90-minute clash also proved more popularthan the BBC’s controversial Question Time featuring British National Party leader, Nick Griffin, watched by 7.9 million viewers back in October.
The First Election Debate on ITV1 averaged 9.4 million viewers between 8.30pm and 10pm.
The audience began at8.8 million in the first quarter-hour from 8.30pm, rising to a peak of 9.9 million during the middle of the debate, in the 15 minutes from 9pm. It then declined, to 9.3 million in the final quarter-hour.