Murder On The Blackpool Express has been a ratings smash-hit for UKTV, having become the highest-ever rating show on its Gold channel.

The comedy drama, starring Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson and a host of TV favourites has drawn in 1.72 million viewers since its premiere on Gold on 11th November.

The story follows Terry (Johnny Vegas), a Blackpool coach driver, and tour guide Gemma (Sian Gibson) who become caught up in a deadly conspiracy when the trip's passengers start mysteriously dying one by one.

Murder On The Blackpool Express is written by Jason Cook (Hebburn), directed by Simon Delaney (Cold Feet, Stella, Lead Balloon), produced by Jim Poyser (Shameless) and executive produced by Andy Brereton for Shiny Button. It was ordered by UKTV’s Genre General Manager for Comedy & Entertainment Steve North and UKTV Director of Commissioning Richard Watsham, while Hilary Rosen and Pete Thornton are co-executive producers for UKTV.

Gold has enjoyed recent success with UKTV Originals on Gold this year, including, We Have Been Watching, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais' award-winning sitcom Henry IX, a pair of exclusive retrospectives, David Jason: My Life on Screen, The Story of Only Fools and Horses, and most recently, The Rebel with legend of stage and screen, Simon Callow.  

Coming up on the channel are Smashie’s Xmastastic Playlist next month and dinnerladies diaries coming next year.

Read a review of Murder on the Blackpool Express here.