David Dimbleby Wins Election Coverage Ratings For BBC, Jeremy Paxman On Channel 4 Beats ITV

Dimbleby's Tantrum Didn't Stop BBC Election Triumph
|

David Dimbleby's 4am tantrum did nothing to prevent his triumph for the BBC in the battle for election coverage ratings - in fact, it may have helped.

Dimbleby, in his final outing as the anchorman for the BBC's overnight coverage, helped secure four million viewers - a 38.5% share, almost double that of his nearest rival, which was... not ITV.

Open Image Modal

David Dimbleby shouted 'For God's sake' at about 4am, perhaps because of being photobombed by the tealady

ITV didn't fare well at all, drawing in less than a million viewers for their coverage of the results, chaired by political editor Tom Bradby.

Channel 4's novel approach to the election coverage was rewarded. They recruited Jeremy Paxman, not in his customary guise as tireless interrogator as displayed in the interviews with two leading candidates prior to the election, but in genial funnyman fronting their 'Alternative Election' night, alongside David Mitchell, Adam Hills and the 'Gogglebox' crew.

Open Image Modal

Jeremy Paxman scored well with viewers on Channel 4

Paxo did well with numbers, keeping 1.7million viewers tuned in, but slightly less well with his gags...

Numbers were down on all channels, however, from the last election in 2010, with most people opting to switch off before the results came in.

How to stay awake all election night
Get up and move around(01 of05)
Open Image Modal
Yes, that is a bear walking. (credit:YouTube)
Take a disco nap(02 of05)
Open Image Modal
Nap between five and 25 minutes, says Barry Krakow, MD, author of Sound Sleep, Sound Mind: Seven Keys to Sleeping Through the Night.

And if you can't nap - try resting with your eyes closed for 10 minutes.
Deep breaths(03 of05)
Open Image Modal
Breathe in and out as deeply as you can, using diaphragmatic breathing. Place your hand on your belly button, and draw breath in by pulling down on your diaphragm muscle, your hand will move outwards indicating correct diaphragmatic in-breath. This pulls air into the lungs from the bottom up. Breathing deeply will re-oxygenate your blood and brain and will re-energise you.
Drink lots and lots of water(04 of05)
Open Image Modal
Like this cat. Dehydration can cause tiredness. So drink plenty of fluids.
Just sod everything and drink sh*tloads of coffee(05 of05)
Open Image Modal
Let's be honest, that's what we'll all end up doing by 2am anyway. (credit:Pinterest)