Almost 8 million watch opening show

Early ratings figures show that almost 8 million tuned in to see the housemates enter the house live last night.

According to overnight ratings, an average of 6.9 million viewers (a 29.3% share of the audience) watched the first show at 8.30pm, with a peak of 7.6 million viewers and a 32.3% share.

46% of the audience were aged 16-34, a type of audience which is particularly sought after by advertisers.

5.2 million returned for the second live show at 10.45pm -- featuring the surprise live nominations -- pulling a 32.6% share of the audience. At its peak the programme was watched by 5.4 million (35.4%).

The audience for last night's shows is the highest debut for any Big Brother series so far. Last year, 5.6 million saw Kate and co move in, whilst in 2001, 3.5 million watched the BB2 gang enter the house. The first ever edition of Big Brother UK in 2000 drew 3.6 million viewers.