TV
Some 6.5m (27.6%) tuned in for the half-hour sitcom at 9pm, putting it well ahead of the channel's 4.3m (19.3%) slot average.
The show's previous high was 5.5m (26.4%) for its series one opener, in a 10pm Thursday slot.
Newcomer Teenage Kicks followed Benidorm as part of ITV1's Comedy Zone initiative.
It drew a much weaker audience of 3.6m (16.1%) viewers, though still an improvement on its predecessor in the slot, Echo Beach. The teen drama came to an end with 2m (8.9%) in the previous week.
While ITV1 flourished at 9pm Channel 4's US drama struggled. Dirty Sexy Money was watched by a decent 2.7m (11.6%) on Good Friday but this time only reached 1.4m (8.2%).
BBC One led the slot with 4.6m (20.1%) seeing a repeat of New Tricks from 9pm, while BBC Two's Torchwood appealed to 2.4m (10.2%). NCIS on Five drew 1.8m (7.8%).
> Click here for in interview with Benidorm cast members
Tube Talk
'Freaks and Geeks': Tube Talk GoldTube Talk Gold heads back to the '80s and remembers Freaks and Geeks.
TV Interviews
'Celebrity Apprentice' Debbie Gibson Q&ADebbie Gibson opens up about her Celebrity Apprentice experience.
Reality Bites
Does Simon Cowell have new SuBo?: VideoWatch a clip of Jonathan Antoine, who is tipped for success on BGT.
TV Ratings
Judi Dench draws 4.1m on 'Graham Norton'ITV1 pips BBC One to the highest primetime audience share.
