Ratings: 'The Apprentice' improves to series high on BBC One

The latest Apprentice instalment drew its biggest numbers this series last night, according to overnight data.



An average of 6.99m (28.6%) saw another candidate get the boot from Lord Alan Sugar on BBC One, with more than 7.5m tuning in for the final 15 minutes.

The You're Fired! spinoff followed on BBC Two with 2.79m (13.8%).

Earlier on BBC Two, Our Food grabbed 1.72m (7.7%) and Divine Women was watched by 981k (4%).

ITV1's two-hour airing of Foyle's War failed to compete with BBC One's lineup, taking an average of 3.31m (14.2%) and 137k (0.6%) on timeshift.

On Channel 4, Four Rooms attracted 1.34m (6%) from 8pm (+1: 110k/0.5%) and The Sinking of the Concordia: Caught on Camera was seen by 1.93m (7.9%) from 9pm (+1: 510k/2.8%).

NCIS continued strongly with 1.73m (7.1%). It was followed by Law & Order: Criminal Intent (1.09m/5.8%) and preceded by Cowboy Traders (1.25m/5.6%).

Overall, BBC One dominated primetime with 22.8% ahead of ITV1's 14.5% (+1: 0.6%). BBC Two secured third place with 7.5%, while Channel 4's 5.7% (+1: 1%) edged Channel 5's 5.4% (+1: 0.3%).

On the multinationals, the latest Justified episode 'Harlan Roulette' drew 184k (0.8%) on 5USA.

Elsewhere, The Secret Circle and Grey's Anatomy took 161k (0.7%) and 190k (1%) respectively on Sky Living.