Over Five Million watch Ross’ Return

Over five million viewers tuned in last night to see the return of Jonathan Ross to television following his three-month suspension over the “manuel-gate” scandal.

Last night saw the return of Jonathan Ross to BBC One for the first edition of his chat-show, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, since his suspension over the “manuel-gate” scandal.

Ross was suspended by the BBC from television and radio after his part in prank phone-calls made to Andrew Sachs, regarding his Satanic Slut grand-daughter Georgina Ballie, during Russell Brand’s Radio Two show. Although the prank-calls largely went ignored at the time a report in The Sunday Mail soon whipped up a media frenzy over the piece and forty-two thousand people who didn’t even hear the original broadcast complained to the BBC.

While Jonathan Ross was suspended by the corporation for his part in the scandal Russell Brand quit and BBC Radio Two controller Lesley Douglas, who hadn’t even heard the broadcast, also quit her job due to the Daily Mail whipped up frenzy.

Last night’s edition of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross was seen by 5.1 million viewers according to overnight figures. Ross’ final show before his suspension was seen by 3.7 million – a significant rise.

At the start of the chat-show Ross once again apologised for his role in the scandal. Amongst the guests on Ross’ first show of 2009 was Hollywood actor Tom Cruise and popular band Franz Ferdinand.