Marion And Geoff was trounced in the ratings by every other terrestrial TV programme last night.

The return of the acclaimed comedy in an extended half-hour format attracted 1.4million viewers - just seven per cent of the available audience.

Even though the show - starring Rob Brydon as a heartbroken chauffeur - has been lauded by critics, more than twice as many people - 3.1million - tuned in to Graham Norton on Channel 4 at the same time.

Even Channel 5 did better - its old Clint Eastwood movie Tightrope pulling 1.9million viewers.

Later in the evening, the return of Baddiel and Skinner Unplanned to ITV1 was narrowly beaten by a tribute to Bee Gee Maurice Gibb.

The Improvised Comedy show attracted 3.4million viewers, against the 3.6million watching BBC1.