Although the twenty-third series was again scheduled in a Friday night slot, the ratings improved from the previous year, averaging at 6.36 million viewers and 37th place in the charts.
This opening episode ranked joint 40th, with both it and The Witness (1999) being watched by 6.23 million viewers.
This opening episode ranked joint 40th, with both it and The Witness (1999) being watched by 6.23 million viewers.
Although selected by The Times as one of their TV "Choices" of the day (2nd July 1999), Des still came in for some criticism, with the opening of the write-up stating: "The singing suntan is back, fortunately not doing too much crooning. He's far better chatting and schmoozing with the guests."