Hell's Kitchen closes on 8.1 million

Speculation has been rife at ITV1 about a second outing of the reality show but after a good 7 million start and this finale the second series will almost definitely get the green light.

On Saturday (5 June) BBC1's coverage of the Epsom Derby in Derby Day Grandstand meant the corporation was way ahead of BBC2 and C4's D-Day documentaries with 1.5 million (19.6%). It peaked at 16.25, five minutes into the big race with 2.8 million and a 28.2% share.

The penultimate episode of Hell's Kitchenattracted 5.6 million to ITV1 at 21.00. Horror film Hannibalat 22.15 managed 3.2 million and 19% to ITV1.

BBC2 had one of the worst evenings with Summer of Opera getting a disappointing 400,000 (2.4%) at 21.15. Overall the channel received a 2.4% average audience share for the peaktime slot. It was beaten by C4 and Five with 7.3% and 9.4% respectively.

Five's commendable Saturday evening schedule included CSI: Miami which managed 2.4 million (12.6%) at 21.15 and Law and Order at 22.10 reaching out to 1.8 million (10.5%).

Friday nights Big Brother eviction racked up a respectable 4.1 million (20.2%) for C4 as Kitten was the first contestant to get booted out of the house. The interview with Davina at 22.00 fared slightly better with 5 million (23.8%)

The ratings winner for the 21.00 slot was ITV1's Hell's Kitchen which continued to draw in an impressive 5.7 million and a 27.7% share.

Art of the Garden on BBC2 at 21.00 got a sizeable 2.4 million compared to BBC1's Lenny Henry Show during the time slot which only managed 3.6 million (14.6%) for the elder sibling.

Five was left out in the cold with a mere 1.1 million (5.7%) entertained by off beat horror The Lost Boys between 21.00 and 22.55.

Peaktime audience shares for Friday 4 June:

ITV1: 35.3, BBC1: 24%, BBC2: 9.3%, C4: 10.7, Five 3.4%

Peaktime audience shares for Saturday 5 June:

ITV1: 24.6, BBC1: 34.5%, BBC2: 2.4%, C4: 7.3%, Five: 9.4%