Soap ratings: 'Waterloo Road' starts new term with 4.5m

[dutchman]

The new series of Waterloo Road rang the school bell with more than 4m viewers on Wednesday evening, according to the latest audience data.



Waterloo Road averaged 4.5m (20.4%) for BBC One from 7.30pm, as charismatic Michael Byrne started work as the school's new head teacher.

Emmerdale averaged 6.45m (33.5%) from 7pm for ITV1 and 113k (0.5%) on timeshift, as Aaron bumped into his ex-boyfriend Flynn while on a night out.

Elsewhere, Hollyoaks appealed to 1.09m (6.1%) on Channel 4 from 6.30pm and 110k (0.5%) on +1, before E4's first look at the next episode mustered 597k (3.1%) from 7pm and 130k (0.6%) an hour later.

Earlier in the day, Doctors entertained 1.43m (22.3%) on BBC One from 1.45pm, while Neighbours had 681k (10.5%) on Channel 5. The Aussie drama's repeat screening was watched by 1.11m (8.2%) from 5.30pm.

Home and Away appealed to 849k (5.3%) on Channel 5 from 6pm, and 5*'s first look at the next episode pulled in 414k (2.3%) from 6.30pm.