A ratings smash in Scotland - less so elsewhere

The return of Still Game has notched up a record audience in Scotland - but performed less well south of the border.

Yesterday’s episode, the first in nine years, was seen by 1.3 million viewers in Scotland - beating its previous record of 1.2 million.

That represents 58 per cent of the entire TV audience north of the border in its 9.30pm slot.

Another 1.9million viewers watched elsewhere in the UK, bringing a total audience of 3.2 million.

That’s short of the 4.1 million average BBC One normally gets between 9pm and 10pm on a Friday.

And it fell short of the revisited sitcoms that aired in that slot last month, such as Are You Being Served?’s 5 million, Porridge’s 4.4million, Goodnight Sweetheart’s 3.7million and Young Hyacinth’s 3.4million.

Created by and starring Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan as Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade, the show was revived after selling out 21 dates at Glasgow’s SSE Arena last year… with a new run now planned for the same venue in February

Executive producer Ewan Angus said the show was ‘without doubt a jewel in BBC Scotland's crown and we are delighted that it continues to sparkle for audiences.

‘These figures are testament to the hard work Ford, Greg and the whole team have invested in this new series and we are thrilled for it to be rewarded in this way.’

Kiernan added: ‘It felt like the Bells last night. There was no traffic outside, the pubs were quiet, it was odd but a comforting odd.The feedback from the audience has been immense, thanks so much.’

Published: 8 Oct 2016