Record viewing figures for 'BGT'

The first episode in the new series of 'Britain’s Got Talent' drew a record peak audience of 12.2 million UK viewers, ITV said today.

The figure – which equates to a 49% audience share – is the highest ever for a launch episode of the show.

Last night fans watched a selection of auditions from across the UK.

The programme, which kicked off the fourth series, was watched by an average of 10.6 million people between 8pm and 9.30pm, equating to 44% of viewers and 51% of the 16-34 demographic, the channel said.

This was up from last year’s launch show which drew an average of 10.3 million viewers, peaking at 11.8 million.

The talent contest, hosted by Ant and Dec and featuring Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden as judges, is designed to find an act good enough to perform at this year’s Royal Variety Performance.