Splash! Returning To ITV For Second Series

Saturday evening entertainment series Splash!, featuring Olympian Tom Daley, is to return to ITV for a second series.

The much criticised series was dubbed a new low by unimpressed critics but viewers kept tuning in. Splash! averaged over 5 million viewers per edition and its finale on Saturday evening saw ratings peak at 6.5 million viewers. ITV are clearly impressed by its ratings, if not by it’s critical response, as it has commissioned a second series.

“Splash! has proved itself by building a big, enthusiastic, primetime family audience. We’ve seen some quite incredible bravery from our celebrities this series, and the scale of the dives they were achieving is in no small part down to their mentor, and the star of our show, Tom Daley. We’re looking forward to even more Saturday night spectacle, and sparkle, with the second series.” – Elaine Bedell, Director of Entertainment and Comedy

The first series of the celebrity diving competition was won by Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards. Celebrities which took part in the first season included Shameless actress Tina Malone, Benidorm actor Jake Canuso, Caprice, Joey Essex and Dom Joly. The line-up was just one element, of many, that failed to impressed the critics. Olympian Tom Daley was the coach who prepared all the celebrities for their dives across the series.

“I am over the moon to hear Splash! will run for a second season. It’s a dream come true for me to be involved in an entertainment show which has been so successful and also fits so well around my training schedule. Splash! has put diving on primetime TV and diving clubs all across the country have kept telling me that they now have waiting lists, following the popularity of the show. That in itself is an incredible achievement and I’m very excited to be part of it.” – Tom Daley

Splash! was presented by Vernon Kay and Gabby Logan and its panel of judges include Jo Brand. ITV are calling it the most successful new entertainment series, on its network, in five years. The series is based on the Dutch format Sterren Springen. Splash! will return to ITV in 2014.