Taking the lion's share: I'm A Celebrity's jungle launch is ITV's most-watched programme of the year as 12.7m viewers tune in

Published: 02:25 GMT, 22 November 2016 | Updated: 07:14 GMT, 22 November 2016

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I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here's opening weekend raked in more viewers than any other programme on ITV in 2016.

Attracting 12.7 million viewers to the launch show last weekend, the jungle-based reality TV show beat similar shows like popular singing competition The X Factor.

I'm A Celebrity even toppled some of its own records, as the Series 16 ratings are the show's third highest ever, behind only 2013 (13.5m) and 2011 (12.8m).

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The whole gang: I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here raked in more viewers than any other programme on ITV in 2016

Viewers were perhaps tuning in to see Gogglebox favourite Scarlett Moffatt hop channels to become a fast favourite on the camp-based show.

Fans of the soaps will also have been delighted to see the real sides of actors Adam Thomas and Larry Lamb as well as Countdown veteran Carol Vorderman.

The launch show saw the celebrities thrust into challenging jungle life as some were forced to walk the plank at 300ft and others jumped out a helicopter.

The figures far exceed those of singing competition The X Factor, which took 7.1million on its opening, prime-time Saturday night slot.

Climbing the boards: Attracting 12.7 million viewers to the launch show last weekend, the jungle-based reality TV show beat similar shows like singing competition The X Factor

She's a winner! Viewers were perhaps tuning in to see Gogglebox favourite Scarlett Moffatt hop channels to become a fast favourite on the camp-based show

Fan fave: Fans of the soaps will also have been delighted to see the real sides of actors Adam Thomas and Larry Lamb (pictured) as well as Countdown veteran Carol Vorderman

The X Factor's disappointing viewing figures similarly failed to measure up to Strictly Come Dancing's 8.6million on the same weekend.

Strictly: The Results even managed to triumph over David Attenborough's Planet Earth II last weekend.

I'm A Celebrity began in 2002 and has always featured presenters Ant & Dec at the helm.

The duo ran into rare controversy on Saturday night after appearing to utter a 'racist' slur towards Australians when they made a joke dubbing those from Down Under, ‘uncouth layabouts who barely wash’.

Trumping them: Strictly: The Results even managed to triumph over David Attenborough's Planet Earth II last weekend

Oh dear... The X Factor's disappointing viewing figures similarly failed to measure up to Strictly Come Dancing's 8.6million on the same weekend

The beloved Geordie duo announced that Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt would be the new camp president, which led Dec, 41, to say: ‘As you know this job is about ruling over a group of uncouth layabouts who rarely wash and can barely light a fire.'

Following up from his co-presenter's line, Ant, also 41, made the shocking remark: ‘Basically, it’s like being the Australian prime minister!’

The shock comments led to Australian Senator James McGrath saying: ‘That’s a bit rich coming from a pair of TV presenters. I wonder what was the last book they read that didn’t need crayons.’

Troubles: Ant and Dec ran into rare controversy on Saturday night after appearing to utter a 'racist' slur towards Australians when they made a joke dubbing those from Down Under: ‘uncouth layabouts who barely wash’