The return of The Great British Bake Off could not have come at a better time, and it turns out millions agree.
Last week’s opening episode has just set a pretty impressive record for Channel 4, becoming their highest rated programme – excluding films – since 1985.
According to the broadcaster, consolidated viewing figures for the series 11 debut were 10.8 million.
It was also recorded the biggest overnight audience for Bake Off since its move from the BBC in 2017, with overnight ratings averaging 6.9m viewers.
The biggest-ever audience in Channel 4’s history remains 13.9m, which was for the mini-series A Woman Of Substance in 1985.
The TV premiere of the film Four Weddings And A Funeral on Channel 4 in 1995 also attracted an audience of 12.4m.
The first episode of the new Bake Off series saw Matt Lucas make his debut on the programme as he replaced previous co-host Sandi Toksvig.
The episode, which started later than originally scheduled to avoid a clash with an address to the nation about coronavirus from the prime minister, opened with a skit which featured Matt impersonating Boris Johnson.
It was later revealed that the Little Britain star’s skit had been the subject of over 200 Ofcom complaints.
The Great British Bake Off continues next Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.