Four million watch Thatcher funeral

BBC1’s programme – anchored by David Dimbleby – drew an average of 3.2 million viewers across its three-hour duration from 9.15am, with 4.3 million watching at the peak, towards the end.

But the coverage also drew a number of complaints including those who felt the BBC showed a bias both for and against the former Tory prime minister.

In total the BBC had received 270 complaints by yesterday morning, with 98 unhappy about the interviews during the special programme.

A further 106 felt there was a bias against Baroness Thatcher, while 76 thought the reverse was true.

The audience for the funeral dwarfed that of other channels at the same time.

The Jeremy Kyle Show on ITV pulled in 1.5 million (including viewers on its catch-up +1 channel), while This Morning had 1.1 million.

The average audience for the funeral was more than three times the time slot would normally draw.