I'm a Celebrity 2018 launch named most-watched TV show of the year so far outside of football matches

This year’s I’m A Celebrity opening episode was a massive success for ITV, becoming the most-watched episode of television this year.

According to overnight ratings, an average 11 million people watched the first episode, the audience peaking at 11.6 million with a total 51 per cent viewer share. The episode saw off competition from continuing drama The Little Drummer Girl on BBC One and Louis Theroux’s Altered States on BBC Two.

That figure is 700,000 more than who watched last year’s launch and the series’ most-watched opening since 2013. ITV claims the launch is the most-watched broadcast in the UK of the year, excluding World Cup football matches which peaked over 20 million with the Croatia vs England game.

Interest in the new series was larger than normal thanks to Holly Willoughby replacing Ant McPartlin as presenter alongside Dec Donnelly. The latest crop of celebrities also included big names, such as football manager Harry Redknapp, DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles and ex-EastEnders star Rita Simons.

The launch managed to beat the previous highs set by the BBC’s Bodyguard. The finale of the Richard Madden-starring series was watched by 17.1 million – but those figures include consolidated viewing over 28 days.