Red Dwarf X became UKTV's second most watched programme ever when it premiered on the Dave channel on Thursday evening (October 4, 2012 . Red Dwarf hasn't been on screens for 13 years, though some 1.46 million viewers clearly hadn't lost their appetite for the sci-fi comedy and Dave took a 6.3% share of the total viewing audience, reports The Metro.

Incidentally, Red Dwarf's 21st reunion special - broadcast in 2009 - still represents UKTV's most watched programme ever. Essentially, everyone who watched Dave loves Red Dwarf and it seems that absence has made the heart grow fonder. Actor and star of the show Craig Charles praised the writing of the new series ahead of its premiere on Thursday, telling TV Choice, "The writing is right up there with some of the best ever written for the series. It's exceeded my expectations. And of course with technology moving on so much, it makes it look spectacular," adding, "I'm the only one who's got a bit of youth left. Kryten is crammed full of software these days and if Cat wasn't wearing a wig he'd just be a balding old man, believe me, and Chris Barrie can't remember a line."

The new series will run for six episodes, though at this rate, UKTV will no doubt be in talks for more.