Earlier this month, we reported that a fourth season of Torchwood was lined up, but that all concerned were waiting to see what kind of ratings this week’s Torchwood: Children Of Earth extravaganza managed to haul in before a firm decision was made.

Well, according to the figures released for the Monday night debut of the season, things are going really rather well. The move to BBC One obviously boosted audience figures (which always puzzles me: just how hard is it to press a button and switch your telly to BBC Two?), but nonetheless, the debut figure of 5.94m viewers will surely be making BBC bosses really quite happy. There aren’t many science fiction shows launched in the middle of summer that could claim numbers like that.

Inevitably, this was a great deal more than saw the debut of season two on BBC Two, where 3.72m tuned in. And now eager eyes will be seeing whether the show can build a ratings momentum, and whether the decision to run the show on five consecutive nights will build to some kind of ratings crescendo.

Torchwood: Children Of Earth continues tonight, and runs through until Friday. Our next review will be live at 10pm, straight after the episode ends...