Vaughan and Van Outen worked together on The Big Breakfast

The entertainment show, which features games and live broadcasts, was beaten by ITV1's Celebrities Under Pressure, which drew in 3.9m viewers.

A BBC Two Miss Marple repeat also pipped the programme, with 3m viewers.

A BBC spokeswoman said the audience for Passport to Paradise grew throughout the show, peaking at 3m by the end.

A spokesman for the programme said the show has received rave reviews with TV critics, who had praised the show's two hosts.

The programme drew 4m viewers when it began in early July, with 3.3m in the second and third weeks.

Undecided

A BBC spokeswoman said it was too soon to decide on whether Passport to Paradise would be recommissioned.

"It's way to early to say at this stage, but there is nothing that I have seen so far that would make me say no," she said.

"It's not just about ratings. We are about growing shows at the BBC and we have already done much to improve it over its four week run."

Casualty is still a winner for the BBC

BBC One still managed to beat ITV1 on Saturday with a 28.2% peaktime share compared to ITV1's 20.6%.

The National Lottery: In it To Win It, averaging 5.1m viewers, and Casualty, with a 7.1m share, eclipsed ITV1's celebrity show Simply the Best, which pulled in 3.3m.

Vaughan and Van Outen were brought together by BBC One to try to revive Saturday night variety TV.

The pair had a popular on-screen chemistry while working on Channel 4's Big Breakfast in the late 1990s.

BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey said at the time: "We're trying to move away from that 'sameyness' on Saturday night to bring more variety."

"Don't expect every one necessarily to secure the bull's-eye on its first outing."