Repeats prove a ratings hit

Reruns of the Goodies have been deemed a ratings hit, after attracting up to a million viewers despite a late-night timeslot.

BBC Two has been repeating full episodes of the classic Seventies comedy this Christmas for the first time in more than 30 years. And the eight shows have entertained between 500,000 and 1million viewers, despite going out at 11.30pm at the earliest/

The figures seem to have vindicated campaigners’ pleas for the shows to be repeated after so long.

Graeme Garden said: ‘I'm rather impressed by the viewing figures for the Goodies repeats.  I'm only sorry that about 60 million people were either asleep or didn't know it was on.’

And Lisa Manekofsky, president of The Goodies Rule - OK! fan club, added: ‘I'm absolutely delighted to learn that The Goodies has been garnering such excellent ratings for BBC Two, even given the late hour at which the repeats were scheduled – each staring between 11.30pm and 12.25am– and the limited promotion for the broadcasts.  

‘I am optimistic the BBC will see this as a successful trial run which will lead to additional repeats. Hopefully these would be scheduled earlier in the day, to reach a larger audience as well as to respond to the feedback from fans wanting their children to be able to see the show.’

Bill Oddie had suggested that the BBC had refused to air the shows until now because of a grudge over the trio defecting to ITV for their last series.

Published: 29 Dec 2010