Nigella Lawson’s return to the BBC drew more than 2 million viewers on Monday, but quizshow Only Connect lost more than a quarter of its audience after being bumped from its slot.
BBC2’s Simply Nigella, Lawson’s first BBC outing since her home life was aired in the courts, attracted 2.3 million viewers and a 10.6% share between 8.30pm and 9pm.
Lawson’s return was bad news for Only Connect which shed 600,000 viewers week on week after being shifted from 8.30pm to 7.30pm to make way for Nigella.
Host Victoria Coren Mitchell was clearly aware of the possibility that fans would miss their usual quizshow double bill – University Challenge runs at 8pm.
PUZZLE FANS! Have the clocks gone back again? If you can work out what time Only Connect is on tonight, that's half the battle.
— Victoria Coren M. (@VictoriaCoren) November 2, 2015
Only Connect’s TV audience fell from 2.3 million last week to 1.7 million this Monday, a 26% fall in viewers.
Last week, Coren Mitchell tweeted that the schedule change, which will see Only Connect revert to its 8.30pm slot at Christmas, would be baffling for viewers.
Next week, I'm told, Only Connect moves to 7.30pm. Then at Christmas it moves back to 8.30. As if the show weren't baffling enough already.
— Victoria Coren M. (@VictoriaCoren) October 26, 2015
