Ananova:

Mike Baldwin's nail-biting Coronation Street showdown with his new bride and son has proved a ratings triumph - by piling on an extra two million viewers.

Unofficial surveys found the programme attracted 16.8 million viewers who tuned in to see factory boss Mike, played by Johnny Briggs, hear that his bride Linda had been having an affair with his own son.

Mark Baldwin confessed all in a drunken outburst last night just moments after his father had tied the knot.

Viewers had watched the storyline unfold over the past few months and it exploded in the hour-long special.

Programme bosses are promising more fireworks with the fall-out from the wedding.

A show spokeswoman said: "We're thrilled. It's exactly what we expected because everybody has been waiting for the climax to the Mike, Mark and Linda love triangle. "