Des opened to critical acclaim last night becoming the second biggest drama launch episode across all channels so far in 2020.
ITV’s new drama Des was watched by 5.4m making it the biggest drama launch on the channel since Cleaning Up in 2019.
The first episode peaked with 5.9m and was watched by almost a third of all viewers across its slot.
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Des recounts the horrific murders by serial killer Dennis Nilsen, a former soldier and police officer whose notoriety began in 1983 when he was arrested after human remains were found in the drains at 23 Cranley Gardens in Muswell Hill, north London, where he lived.
Nilsen was then arrested and immediately confessed to having committed 15 or 16 murders since 1978.
He was eventually convicted of six counts of murder and two of attempted murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
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Nilsen died behind bars at the age of 72 on May 12 2018 - he was 34 years into his life sentence.
The Muswell Hill Murderer was said to have died from complications following stomach surgery.
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A post-mortem examination reported his death was caused by a pulmonary embolism and retroperitoneal haemorrhage.
Des continues tonight, Tuesday September 15, and concludes tomorrow, Wednesday September 16 on ITV.
