I’m A Celebrity enjoyed its highest launch night viewing figures in five years when it kicked off on Sunday night.
The jungle show, fronted by Holly Willoughby and Declan Donnelly without Ant McPartlin for the first time in the show's 16-year history, attracted the biggest overnight rating of 2018 outside of the World Cup over the summer, with 11 million tuning in.
The show peaked at 11.9 million about half an hour into the episode with the High Top Tower task underway to secure a 51 per cent share of Sunday night's TV.
Figures are up 750,000 on last year’s launch night. It was also the fourth highest rating kick-off in the show's history.
On ITV2, spin-off show Extra Camp launched with 882,000 viewers.
Sunday night saw a new bunch of terrified celebrities make their way into camp including DIY SOS’s Nick Knowles, actor John Barrowman, ex-EastEnders star Rita Simons and former football manager Harry Redknapp.
But the most noteworthy new face of all was Willoughby who is standing in for good friend McPartlin.
Some fans were left less than impressed with the This Morning presenter’s debut as they bemoaned the lack of “chemistry” with co-host Donnelly.
McPartlin chose to step down from television commitments earlier this year as he sought recovery from addiction.
Ahead of the show he tweeted his best wishes to the new pair with a sweet message on their joint Twitter account.
He wrote: “All the very best of luck to the little fella and @hollywills for the show tonight. Lots of love from the big fella!! A.”
The show is the third time Donnelly has presented without McPartlin, following the end of the Saturday Night Takeaway run and the Britain’s Got Talent live shows earlier this year.
I’m A Celebrity is on ITV, tonight at 9pm
