The American version of Strictly Come Dancing was a mammoth ratings hit last night.

The premiere of Dancing With The Stars ranked as the night's most-watched show on US TV, averaging 13.32 million viewers and a 15% share for ABC in the 9pm hour. It was the only programme to top 10 million viewers.

In the preceding hour on ABC, another British import ruled the roost, with a Supernanny repeat pulling in a 5.5 household rating.

NBC will be hoping for similar success with its own British adaptation, Hit Me Baby One More Time, which premieres tonight.