'The Apprentice' final hires nearly 7m

Published Jun 4 2012, 11:20 BST  |  By Andrew Laughlin

Ricky Martin's victory in the Apprentice final delivered a peak audience of almost 7m on Sunday (June 3) evening, while the BBC's coverage of the Diamond Jubilee topped 10m viewers, according to the latest official data.

The business reality show averaged 5.98m (25.2%) on BBC One in the two hours from 8.45pm, peaking at 6.89m (27.8%) as Lord Sugar chose his next business partner.

Earlier in the day, the BBC benefited from the dismal weather in London to attract an average audience of 10.33m (55.9%) viewers to its coverage of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, between 1.30pm and 6.15pm.

Gary Barlow: On Her Majesty's Secret Service, about the Take That star's creation of a song for the Jubilee, was seen by 6.35m (27.7%) on BBC One from 7.45pm. The Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant Highlights sailed away with 1.49m (16%) from 11.15pm.

Over on ITV1, All the Queen's Horses: A Diamond Jubilee Special enthralled 3.68m (17.2%) from 6.30pm and 139k (0.6%) on ITV1+1, but lost out to Countryfile's 6.38m (30.7%) on BBC One.

A Sunday night episode of Coronation Street was enjoyed by 5.91m (23.4%) on ITV1 from 8.30pm and 257k (1.1%) on +1. Afterwards, Vera captivated 4.56m (19.9%) and 173k (1.1%) on +1.

Singapore 1942: End of Empire was seen by 720k (3.4%) on BBC Two in the 7pm hour, and then Indian Ocean with Simon Reeve grabbed 1.63m (6.8%) from 8pm and 160k (0.7%) on BBC HD.

Coast pulled in 1.69m (6.9%) in the 9pm slot and 102k (0.4%) in HD. TOP2 stayed tuneful with 820k (3.7%) from 10pm and When Disco Ruled the World delighted 900k (5.5%).

Channel 4's Super Scrimpers: Hot Summer Tips averaged 620k (2.6%) from 8pm and 213k (0.9%) on +1, before a screening of sci-fi blockbuster District 9 excited 1.38m (6.1%) from 9pm and 352k (2.2%) on timeshift.

A showing of Big Daddy entertained 938k (4.5%) on Channel 5 from 5.45pm and 157k (0.7%) on +1. Once Upon a Time delighted 973k (4.4%) from 7.30pm and 179k (0.7%) an hour later.

Ultimate Police Interceptors took 503k (2%) on Channel 5 from 8.30pm and movie The Ninth Gate thrilled 712k (3.4%) from 9pm.

A new episode of Family Guy topped the multichannel ratings, after 872k (3.9%) tuned in to BBC Three from 10pm. Another episode of the animated US show pulled in 848k (4.1%) from 10.25pm.

BBC Four's The Two Thousand Year Old Computer educated 558k (2.3%) from 8pm. Desperate Housewives racked up 474k (2.3%) on E4 from 10pm and 236k (2%) on +1.