A FORMER Teesside teacher helped Ant and Dec's return to TV screens on Britain's Got Talent become the biggest programme of 2019 so far, according to overnight figures - beating Line Of Duty.
The ITV talent show averaged 8.1 million viewers, peaking with 9.7 million on Saturday night, helped in no small part for the appearance of a teacher from Hartlepool.
The return of Line Of Duty took the top spot last Sunday with an average of 7.8 million viewers, and a peak of eight million on BBC One.
Britain's Got Talent featured the return to TV screens of the much-loved TV presenting duo after Ant took a break following his drink-driving conviction last year.
It's the Headteacher of the hour, Mr McPartlin! How's he feeling after getting that Golden Buzzer? 🙌 🎉 #BGT #BritainsGotTalent pic.twitter.com/G8AhzxFiSi
— Britain's Got Talent (@BGT) April 6, 2019
Ant became overwhelmed after being embraced by his co-host during a performance by a group of schoolchildren on the TV show.
Flakefleet Primary School in Lancashire performed a spectacular rendition of Queen's Don't Stop Me Now which reduced judge David Walliams to a blubbering wreck.
Leading the performance was headteacher Dave McPartlin who was previously deputy head teacher of Harrow Gate Primary School in Stockton, Teesside.
Last year, Dec hosted the live Britain's Got Talent shows solo.
He later fronted I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! with Holly Willoughby instead of Ant.
ITV also said that the final of its singing competition The Voice, won by teenager Molly Hocking, was watched by 4.6 million viewers, peaking with 5.2 million.
The figures represent overnight rather than consolidated numbers - programmes recorded and watched up to seven days later.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here