Bionic gives ITV2 record ratings

The first episode of US TV drama The Bionic Woman has given ITV2 its largest ever audience, initial figures suggest.

The show, starring former EastEnders actress Michelle Ryan, was watched by an average of 2.2 million viewers, according to overnight figures.

The digital channel's previous best was 1.9 million viewers for Footballers' Wives: Extra Time in 2005.

But the remake of the 1970s favourite is expected to be axed by US network NBC after just one series.

The first episode was a hit in the US, attracting 13.9 million viewers when it made its debut in September.

But it has since suffered in the ratings. Only eight episodes were aired before the writers' strike affected production and it has yet to be recommissioned.

The show's UK debut at 2100 GMT on ITV2 beat Channel 4's The Woman Who Stops Traffic, which attracted 736,000 viewers.

BBC One's Hotel Babylon was the most watched programme at that time, with five million viewers.