Channel 5 has bought the UK broadcasting rights to the phenomenally successful History Channel miniseries, The Bible.

The Bible was produced by Mark Burnett, of the Survivor shows, and his wife Roma Downey, who stars in Touched by an Angel.

The series aired throughout March in the US and attracted record audiences, with over 13 million viewers tuning into watch the opening episode on 3 March.

And it ended as well as it started, with the final episode on Easter Sunday attracting 11.7 million viewers.

Channel 5's decision to air The Bible makes a change from its usual entertainment-focused programmes like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Celebrity Big Brother.

Marie-Claire Dunlop, Acquisitions & Channel Manager for Channel 5 explained the decision: "The show has been nothing short of a sensation, watched by millions of people in the States. To have it on Channel 5 is incredibly exciting – these are stories that can't fail to draw you in."

C Scot Cru, senior vice president of Burnett's One Three Media production company said he hoped The Bible would enjoy the same kind of success in the UK as it has done in the US.