Record 17m turn Bodyguard into a TV blockbuster

THE finale of the Bodyguard set a record for the most-watched drama episode, the BBC has revealed.

The episode, featuring Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes, was seen by an audience of 17.1million across 28 days.

The figure was calculated using new measures that also includes data for those viewing programmes through online non-TV devices such as PCs, laptops, smartphones and tablets.

The 28-day consolidated figure for the finale – without accounting for online non-TV devices – is 15.9million.

The BBC said this figure is still the highest audience for a drama programme since current records began in 2002.

The figure of 17.1million is also the largest audience for a TV programme that was not a sporting or national event since 2010, the broadcaster said.

The series followed police protection officer David Budd, played by Madden, and his relationship with home secretary Julia Montague – played by Miss Hawes.