Jesy Nelson’s documentary about the effects of online bullying has broken a viewing record for BBC Three, the broadcaster has said.
Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out, which focused on the Little Mix star's experiences of cyber bullying since appearing on The X Factor eight years ago, has become the channel’s most-watched factual title since it moved online in 2016.
It was the top programme on BBC iPlayer in the week of release with 1.87 million requests within seven days, with 64% of them from 16-34 year olds.
A BBC Three commission, it aired on BBC One on Thursday September 12, and has drawn a total of 3.3 million consolidated viewers within seven days, a 55% growth in viewers compared to initial overnight ratings.
The documentary showed the relentless abuse that Nelson, 28, received after Little Mix’s X Factor win in 2011.
The candid programme also covered her attempt to take her own life in 2013 after becoming “obsessed” with the negative comments.
Fiona Campbell, Controller, BBC Three, says: “This was such an important, brave film, which fully deserves to be the top factual title on BBC Three.
“Bringing this to so many people was a huge team effort which ensured the film had high visibility and was talked about in key channels for youth audiences in the lead up to broadcast.
“It proves that BBC Three continues to move in the right direction and we’re incredibly happy that so many people have watched and connected with the film and we hope that making it helped Jesy, and helps others that have suffered bullying.”
This comes after viewers called for the documentary to be shown in schools.
Hailing it as compulsory viewing, one fan on social media wrote: "This Jesy Nelson documentary needs to be shown in every single school and college up and down the country to show that words can break even the most strongest looking people and ruin so many lives. Just be kind."
Emily Atack, who interviewed Nelson on Lorraine earlier this month, added: "Show it in schools, tell your mates, watch it. Let’s knock this s** on the head."
Others called for anyone who has sent negative comments online - including Katie Hopkins, whose tweet about Nelson was featured in Odd One Out, to rethink their actions
Another fan wrote on Twitter: “Such an amazing documentary about Jesy’s experiences.
“So proud of her for speaking up & encouraging others to do the same. I hope this programme is shown in schools to show young people that their words do have an impact and trolling is never okay.
Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out aired on September 12 on BBC One at 9pm and is available online on BBC Three now.
