Paul O'Grady's 'Dogs' show bows out with nearly 5m viewers
Published Oct 16 2012, 13:13 BST | By Paul Millar
Paul O'Grady's For the Love of Dogs concluded with a series high of almost 5 million viewers last night (October 15).The final edition of O'Grady's seven-part fly-on-the-wall show for ITV drew 4.73m and a 19.3% share, adding a further 257k (1.1%) on ITV1 +1.
© ITV
Clashing with BBC One's popular EastEnders, For the Love of Dogs has become ITV's most successful format in its Monday 8pm filler slot in the 21st century.
For the Love of Dogs has also outperformed the presenter's Friday night chat show Paul O'Grady Live, which was dropped after two series following unspectacular viewing figures.
There was also good news for ITV in O'Grady's old stomping ground, as The Chase commanded 2.89m (20.5%) at 5pm (+1: 219k/1%), beating Pointless's 2.58m (10.6%) for BBC One.
© ITV
© BBC
However, ITV's success didn't run into the 9pm hour, where James Nesbitt's Monroe sunk to 2.77m (11.9%) at the mercy of New Tricks, which remained solidly high with 7.26m (31.1%).
Elsewhere, University Challenge (2.68m/11.9%), Nigellisima (2.24m/9.3%) and Wonderland (1.54m/6.6%) were fairly consistent for BBC Two. Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two dazzled 1.91m (9.4%) at 6.30pm.
Meanwhile, Channel 4's 999: What's Your Emergency climbed to 2.07m (8.9%) at 9pm (+1: 439k/2.6%), and Channel 5's highest-rated programme was once again 8pm's Classic Car Rescue with 991k (4.1%).
Overall, BBC One topped primetime with 23.3% over ITV1's 21.9% (+1: 0.8%). BBC Two claimed third place with 6.9%, ahead of Channel 4's 5.2% (+1: 0.9%), and Channel 5's 3.7% (+1: 0.2%).
© ITV2
© Channel 4
Witch drama Switch, starring Lacey Turner, premiered on ITV2 with 574k (3.4%) at 10pm, beating the return of Made in Chelsea which attracted 452k (2.7%) and 101k (1.2%) on E4 +1.
BBC Four's Only Connect was the most-watched digital broadcast with 860k (3.5%) in its usual 8.30pm slot - the gameshow also helped 9pm's World War Two, which interested 654k (3%).
BARB ratings data supplied by Attentional
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October 18th 2012 at 7:40pm
Paul O'Grady clearly loves animals and that's why the show works, it bought a tear to my eye a few times and it was lovely when the statue of Buster was unveiled at the end, great stuff. As for Pointless v The Chase, it beats me why anyone watches pointless at all especially when the far superior Chase is on at the same time.
October 17th 2012 at 1:21pm
That's it now, it will return next series being an hour long and run for 10 weeks. Then people will start to loose interest and start being padded out.
October 16th 2012 at 9:26pm
I really loved this program, love Paul O'Grady, love animals = Perfection...It just was not on long enough!! Please everyone who loved this program vote for it in the NTA Awards please!! I would love to see him win the award!!
October 16th 2012 at 8:53pm(+2 likes)
Tracy, he was the perfect prsenter for the show, wasn't he? One minute, tears, the next, laughing at im trying to sneak the puppy out! I'll sure vote for him
October 17th 2012 at 9:22am(+1 like)
He was perfect for the job. I know , i was the same, laughing one minute and the next tears. It would be great to see him get an award, he is just a great presenter. We need more of our Paul on TV. Love him.
October 17th 2012 at 5:33pm
Let this be a lesson for ALL T.V networks!! A charismatic, genuine, sincere, funny, lovable presenter will always win out over the talentless, fame hungry, cloned, wanabees that seem to be littered everywhere and rammed down our throats on just about every show!! More Paul O' Grady on T.V please?
October 16th 2012 at 5:48pm(+6 likes)
I second that.
October 16th 2012 at 8:24pm
I'll third that!
October 17th 2012 at 9:22am