5.6million tune in to see Tom Daley make a Splash!
PLYMOUTH diver Tom Daley has made a big Splash! in his first TV presenting role.
The new celebrity talent show on ITV on Saturday, attracted an average of 5.6million viewers – a quarter of the audience share.
Tom – who took bronze in dramatic style at last year's London Olympic games – plays tutor to a handful of celebs who have dared to tread a very different kind of board to ones they are used to.
At its peak, 6.3 million viewers tuned in to see comedian Omid Djalili and Benidorm star Jake Canuso dive into the next round of the show, which is filmed live from Luton, with the training sequences filmed at Plymouth's Life Centre.
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Djalili topped the leaderboard with a daring 10-metre "swan dive", while Canuso made it through after winning a head-to-head "splash off" against TV presenter Jenni Falconer.
The social networking site Twitter, famed for its poisonous jibes, was quick to shout down the show, but Radio Five Live presenter Richard Bacon said: "We've had our sarcastic fun. But let's admit in it's own mysterious way, it's strangely enjoyable. If not utterly compelling."
The show's judging panel featured Team GB's diving coach Andy Banks, comedienne Jo Brand and former Olympic diving medallist Leon Taylor.
Having failed to impress the judges, Jenni Falconer joined Sugababes singer Jade Ewen and comedy actress Helen Lederer in leaving the series.
Ten more celebrities – including model Caprice, Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo, Sky presenter Charlotte Jackson and ski jumper Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards – will compete over the next two weeks.
Team GB and Plymouth Diving coach Andy Banks said the feedback from ITV bosses was that they were "over the moon" with the ratings.
He said: "I thought it went all right, given that Splash! is something entirely new for a primetime TV slot.
"I wasn't overly nervous at it going out live but you have to remember this is on ITV on a Saturday night and so it's bound to get the heart racing a bit.
"I think Tom (Daley) was also pretty pleased overall so that's two of us from Plymouth on a primetime slot, which is great for the sport and for the city."
Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe pulled out of the show just days after she was reported to have split with boyfriend Sylvain Longchambon, a professional from Dancing On Ice.
Comments
by newjanner
Monday, January 07 2013, 11:02PM
“Methinks if the russian coach is still in charge for the next olympics Tom might not be getting selected”
by daleysnohero
Monday, January 07 2013, 10:17PM
“P.S. Petebarrow
Bronze does not suggest the peak of his sport. Gold might.”
by daleysnohero
Monday, January 07 2013, 10:16PM
“Petebarrow -
get a life yourself! You have no idea how fulfilling or successful my life is. It certainly isn't humdrum - illness forced me to be in on this particular Saturday evening and hopefully it never happens again if this programme is the sort of dross on offer!
You laugh away - you seem to be on your own there. Now get back to your Saturday night Battle Re-enactment, Sci-Fi conference or dogging...whichever I suspect you are involved in.”
by tipley
Monday, January 07 2013, 8:28PM
“Good luck to Tom. I watched the programme and it inspired me to want to learn to dive! I am late 50's so not so young as most assumed the viewers would be.
I would be proud to have someone like Tom as a son or grandson, its better than him ending up on the streets and causing havoc like many youngsters do!”
by petebarrow
Monday, January 07 2013, 7:44PM
“Got to laugh, haven't you?
by daleysnohero
"then you might have done better than bronze."
From someone who's life is so fulfilling and successful that he spends saturday night watching TV, registers an avatar derogative to the person he has a dislike for and then starts posting online running down the said person.
I admit I never watched the programme because I knew it would not be the sort of TV I enjoy but best of luck to the lad (he is still only eighteen years old for goodness sake) If he quits diving and moves over to TV presenting then who can blame him? He has already reached the peak in his sport. Of course, he could always turn down the offers and live a humdrum life in his home city where he can go on the internet and write spiteful letters online to the local newspaper about people who have made a success of their lives.”
by soultoucher
Monday, January 07 2013, 7:40PM
“I suppose it's good for Plymouth. Mind you, the programme is dismal.
Probably see TD on Big Brother next..or maybe the jungle.”
by NakedWithGoat
Monday, January 07 2013, 7:12PM
“Programme was slammed by the National Press. I guess the 5.6 million were mainly the young teenage girls in love with TD. Or the gay fraternity who have him as a pin up.
Still, It'll be down to 3 million next week. Stick to diving Tom. Get some practice in ready for the next Olympics. Who knows, you might come first if you practice.”
by sidewinder
Monday, January 07 2013, 5:15PM
“Exactly
How dare anyone s*ag off tom daley
Anyone would think we live in a democracy!!!!”
by JMonners
Monday, January 07 2013, 5:03PM
“nothing to do with jealousy blond13, its just a really rubbish programme”
by mofos
Monday, January 07 2013, 2:23PM
“some of you people make me sick!!
Yes it can be annoying seeing him everywhere but this guy has worked hard for what he has got and I mean real hard!! He's done more in the last ten years then some of you bone idol people will ever do in your whole life!
I would love to see any of you guys get a bronze in an Olympic discipline let alone hurling yourself of a ten metre board!
Stop being jealous and grow the feck up you losers! He is the ambassador of Plymouth so get over it and welcome what we have here!
Seriously Tom makes me proud to be Plymothian and you bitter sad people make me ashamed!!”