His reunion with Paul Whitehouse for the first time since his ill-fated Sky One series in 2000 matched BBC One’s average audience for the 9.30pm timeslot.
The figure represents 22 per cent of the total viewing audience, and helped the BBC’s flagship channel score a ratings victory with a triple bill of comedy.
At 9pm, the return of Have I Got News for You scored 5.9 million viewers; while at 8.30pm, My Family attracted 5.7 million viewers.
The ratings will be welcomed by BBC One controller Peter Fincham, who is investing heavily in new comedies for the channel.
Also on Friday, the return of Peep Show was seen by 1.2 million viewers on Channel 4, the same as its average audience for the third series.
