Dead Ringers wins its best ratings

Dead Ringers has attracted its biggest ever audience as part of a successful BBC2 comedy line-up.

The impressionists' show netted 3.7 million viewers on Monday night, according to unofficial overnight figures - more than a million up on its average.

The first of two Christmas specials from Jon Culshaw (pictured) and his team took a 15 per cent share of the viewing.

It was followed by The Kumars at No 42 Christmas special, featuring Neil Morrissey and Sir Cliff Richard, which attracted 3.3 million viewers ­ a 13 per cent share.

The success continued at 10pm, with Little Britain being seen by 2.9 million ­ just 700,000 behind ITV1's news.

At the weekend, impressionist Alistair McGowan accused the Dead Ringers team of trying to steal his thunder.

Published: 23 Dec 2003