Yahoo News I'm A Celebrity gets huge rating boost from Holly
I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here returned to TV screens on Sunday night (November 18) with a brand new line-up and amazing ratings.
The ITV show hit a peak of 11 million viewers, which means 51% of people watching TV were tuning in to the show. This makes it the show's highest rated launch show in five years.
To put that in to further context, Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle averaged 8.7 million viewers on the BBC and 2.5 million on ITV in the overnight ratings back in May.
ITV announced its ratings on Twitter, saying: "Last night's @imacelebrity launched with 11 million /51% (up 750k year on year) making the biggest overnight rating of 2018 outside of World Cup matches.
"The audience peaked with 11.9 million /51% share."
Last night’s @imacelebrity launched with 11 million /51% (up 750k year on year) making the biggest overnight rating of 2018 outside of World Cup matches. The audience peaked with 11.9 million /51% share. pic.twitter.com/Rz2qrqml5A
- ITV Press Centre (@itvpresscentre) November 19, 2018
It was also the debut show for Holly Willoughby, who joined usual presenter Dec Donnelly this year.
His usual presenting partner Ant McPartlin is currently taking a year off his TV duties as he recovers from his addiction issues following time in rehab.
He did send Dec and Holly a message of good luck on social media, writing: "All the very best of luck to the little fella and @hollywills for the show tonight.
"Lots of love from the big fella!! A #ImACeleb Xxxxxx."
Holly has confirmed that while she's definitely excited about her new presenting role, she will be handing the job back to Ant as soon as he's ready to return.
"I'm just looking after it until he gets back. It's lovely that he trusted me with it," she said. "It's totally unexpected to do this. You didn't really want to have to be asked to do the show, it's a weird one."
I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here continues tomorrow night (November 19) on ITV.
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