The Weakest Link hit a top audience of 5.3m

"The goal for Richard and Judy has always been to offer viewers something different at a time of day when all the other major channels are showing soaps and quizzes."

Richard and Judy's figures show a decline in viewers for the 5pm slot for Channel 4.

A recent edition of A Place In The Sun, which also aired at that time on Channel 4, attracted an audience of 2.6 million.

And popular gameshow Countdown, which preceded the couple's programme, drew an audience of 3.2 million.

'Insecure'

The Weakest Link, meanwhile, has consistently done well in TV ratings, not least because its acerbic host Ann Robinson has garnered a cult following.

Richard and Judy's show was similar to the popular This Morning format, including an intimate interview with celebrity couple Les Dennis and Amanda Holden, as well as competitions and phone-ins.

Although the couple, who are also married, are famed for appearing to be relaxed and completely at ease with their guests, one reviewer also noted that they seemed slightly on edge.

Writing in the Guardian newspaper, Stuart Jeffries called the debut an "impressively slick hour of tabloid guff", but added that Finnegan and Madeley seemed "hysterically insecure".

Richard and Judy left This Morning earlier this year

Meanwhile, James Walton wrote in the Daily Telegraph how the new show would delight former This Morning fans, as the couple's familiar elements were "present and correct".

Likened by some to "an adult Blue Peter", the magazine format show kept the presenters very busy as they switched from news items to guests and phone-ins.

For some the fast pace was all too much to handle as Simon Edge, wrote in the Daily Express how the couple's "chaotic chemistry" had left him exhausted.

"I swear I lost half a stone just watching them get through their hectic programme," he added.

'X-factor'

The pair have welcomed viewers into the bosom of their new TV family.

With their in-gags and on screen revelations, critics have commented on how their chemistry set them apart from other presenters.

Sun columnist Jane Moore said the pair had the "X-factor" that other presenters had attempted but failed to copy.

Makeover

To many however it seemed that This Morning had simply been given a makeover by Channel 4.

According to the BBC's Michael Osborn, "The new show is very much a case of familiar faces in a slightly strange setting."

The Sun meanwhile concluded, "They had swapped their ITV chairs for a Channel 4 sofa but the transition was a seamless and highly watchable one that should encourage most die-hard fans to channel swap with them."