The Risk, Johnny Robinson 'X Factor' exits net 12m

A double elimination on The X Factor powered the show past 12m viewers on Sunday evening, while the Downton Abbey finale enchanted nearly 10.5m, the latest audience data has shown.



The eliminations of The Risk and Johnny Robinson from The X Factor 2011 were seen by 12m (41.8%) on ITV1 from 8pm, peaking at 13.02m (44%) for the final 15 minutes.

Strictly Come Dancing just lagged behind with 10.69m (39.6%) on BBC One between 7.30pm and 8pm, peaking at 11.24m (40.7%) for the second half as singer Lulu became the latest celebrity to leave the new series.

The X Factor grabbed a further 212k (0.8%) on ITV1+1, and spinoff show The Xtra Factor grabbed 1.11m (4%) for ITV2 from 9pm and 127k (0.6%) on +1. Afterwards, series three of The Only Way Is Essex continued with 1.22m (6.1%) on ITV2 from 10.15pm and 208k (2.3%) on timeshift.

Also on the multi-channels, Misfits returned to E4 with 757k (3.5%) in the 10pm slot and 206k (2.1%) on timeshift.

Back on the terrestrials, the final episode of series two of Downton Abbey climbed to an impressive 10.46m (41.5%) on ITV1 from 9pm and 190k (1%) on timeshift.

ITV1's The Cube had 4.03m (15.16%) from 6.45pm and 186k (0.6%) on +1. The Adrian Chiles-fronted That Sunday Night Show fetched 1.71m (10.1%) from 10.15pm.

Songs of Praise stayed tuneful with 2.8m (14.3%) on BBC One from 5.30pm, Countryfile nabbed an impressive 7.67m (32.3%) from 7pm and Antiques Roadshow took 6.53m (22.6%) from 8pm. Michael McIntyre: Hello Wembley! was enjoyed by 2.81m (10.1%) in the 9pm slot, and Have I Got a Bit More News For You amused 2.48m (14.8%) from 10.30pm.

Channel 5's showing of The Man in the Iron Mask captivated 1.305m (4.5%) between 6pm and 8pm, before Paul Merton's Adventures took 598k (2.1%). Big Brother appealed to 1.19m (4.3%) in the 9pm hour and a screening of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery took 413k (2.6%) from 10pm.

A repeat of Top Gear revved up 1.35m (5.2%) on BBC Two from 6.30pm, before Coast mustered 1.17m (4%). Will It Snow? educated 2.18m (7.8%) from 9pm and 124k (0.4%) on BBC HD. Match of the Day 2 scored with 2.22m (10.9%) from 10pm and 119k (0.6%) in HD.

River Cottage Veg served up 1.12m (3.9%) in the 8pm hour and 290k (0.7%) on timeshift. The Secret Millionaire took 1.49m (5.3%) from 9pm and 208k (1%). Alan Carr: Chatty Man amused 910k (4.3%) from 10pm and 226k (2.3%) an hour later.

Overall, ITV1 won primetime with 31.7% (+1: 0.7%) against BBC One's 21%. BBC Two came in third with 6.7%, followed by Channel 4's 4.5% (+1: 1.1%) and Channel 5's 3.1%.