Ratings for Celebrity Big Brother have dropped by more than half since the show began.

The launch show had an average of 7.1million viewers - but the audience fell to 3.2million.

Channel 4 said the viewing figures were consistent with last year's series and there were no concerns about falling ratings.

But some viewers have complained that bringing Jade Goody and her family into the house has backfired. Her arrival caused two of the show's more interesting contestants - singer Donny Tourette and film-maker Ken Russell - to quit, and now the ratings have hit a low of 2.8 million on Saturday.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "Saturday is traditionally a low day for ratings. Ratings always go down from the launch show, it's normal for Celebrity Big Brother and regular Big Brother."

The housemates have passed their masters and servants task, which involved seven of the group waiting hand and foot on the Goody family.