The Davina McCall gameshow climbed to a series high of 1.64m (7.7%) on Friday night between 9pm and 10.30pm, adding 210k (1.2%) on +1.
The programme fell to an all-time low three weeks ago, when 1.36m viewers watched the eighth run opener.
Though signs suggest the format isn't yet running out of steam, its figures are still a fair distance away from its 2.5m peak in 2010.
Friday's Million Pound Drop had a lead-in of just 875k (4%) from Come Dine with Me, which added 213k (1%) on timeshift.
Meanwhile on Channel 5, Arron Lowe's Big Brother eviction was seen by 1.56m (7.2%) in the 9pm hour, then 1.21m (8.3%) watched the axed contestant's interview with Brian Dowling.
Spencer Matthews's Bachelor entertained 705k (3.6%) in the lucrative 10pm slot sandwiched between the reality show, while Ice Road Truckers had 995k (4.5%) in the 8pm hour.
Vernon Kay's Let's Get Gold could only attract 2.16m (9.9%) versus 3.87m (17.9%) for BBC One's New Tricks repeat, despite the fact ITV had a far greater inheritance from Coronation Street. Would I Lie To You?, in contrast, amused 2.87m (12.9%).
Elsewhere, BBC Two's coverage of the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2012 dazzled 1.92m (8.9%), after which 1.04m (5%) watched the latest Episodes at 10pm.
Overall, BBC One claimed a rare Friday primetime victory over ITV1 with 20.4% against 17.8% (+1: 0.5%). BBC Two secured third place with 7%, ahead of Channel 4's 5.2% (+1: 0.9%), and Channel 5's 4.3% (+1: 0.1%).
