They have been in a ratings race throughout their 20-year histories.

And the figures are in as the I’m A Celebrity launch on Sunday, which netted 7.7 million viewers, was beaten by Strictly Come Dancing’s results show in Blackpool, which saw 8.1 million tune in on the same night.

It will come as a blow to ITV bosses who are reportedly desperate to beat the BBC flagship show in ratings.

Despite not winning viewing figures on Sunday night, ITV will undoubtedly be pleased that its launch show received one million more viewers than Strictly’s first live show in September which garnered 6.7million.

An ITV insider told The Mail: ‘All they care about is beating Strictly this year. That’s their number one goal. If they do that, they’ll be happy. And, of course, getting more viewers than last year, but that’s been the same every time.’

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The I’m A Celebrity launch on Sunday, which netted 7.7 million viewers, was beaten by Strictly Come Dancing’s results show in Blackpool, which saw 8.1 million tune in on the same night

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I’m A Celebrity achieved a massive 82% share of 16-34 year old viewing, with 1.3 million viewers in this demographic, making it the biggest audience of the year on any channel outside of football, for coveted younger audiences.

Last year, seven million people tuned into I’m A Celeb’s opening show which saw the Reform politician, Nigel Farage, make his entry into the Jungle by wading through gunk.

But ITV bosses no doubt be pleased that 700,000 more fans watched Sunday night’s show, drawn in by the star power of Wagatha Christie’s Coleen Rooney and the Gen Z TikTok star, GK Barry.

The source continued: ‘GK Barry is considered this year’s secret weapon, there’s hope all around that she will bring in a whole new younger audience for the show and hike up the viewing figures.’

Meanwhile, Strictly’s first live show in September saw its ratings plummet as the BBC show recorded a loss of one million viewers, a drop from 7.3million in last year to just 6.7million this year.

It comes after a turbulent year for the dance show, which has been plagued by separate bullying and abuse allegations towards its professional dancers, Giovanni Perncie and Graziano Di Prima.

But it’s seen a sharp rise in ratings over this series, with Sunday night recording a staggering 8.1million viewers tune in to watch the results show.

Strictly’s impressive rise is most likely helped by the show’s first ever blind contestant, Chris McCausland, 47, who scored a 10 on Saturday night and is the nation’s favourite to win in Blackpool this month.

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Despite not winning viewing figures on Sunday night, ITV will undoubtedly be pleased that its launch show received one million more viewers than Strictly’s first live show in September

The new series of I’m A Celebrity finally kicked off on Sunday night, with Coleen and Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough getting off to a rough start as their boat capsized in the tense first challenge as  the 10 celebs were tasked to race down the river on a rowing boat, before quickly capsizing.

The boat drama was part of a big budget opening to the series which also saw Danny Jones, Tulisa, Jane Moore, Dean, and Oti Mabuse skydive into the jungle.

Meanwhile, Barry McGuigan, GK Barry, Alan Halsall, Coleen, and Melvin Odoom waited at the beach for the other five campmates to join them.

The celebrities doing the sky dive then had to take their turns to pick which celebrity they wanted to compete in a race to the finish line.

Once it was Dean’s choice to pick between Coleen or his Radio 1 colleague Melvin, he said: ‘Melvin, I’m so so sorry! Wagatha Christie you’re coming with me!’.

Monday’s show will see GK Barry tackle her first Bushtucker Trial, titled Vile Volcano, in a bid to win 10 stars for camp.

I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! continues on Tuesday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP

OTI MABUSE  

Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt

AGE: 34

OCCUPATION: Professional dancer

FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.

DANNY JONES 

Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: McFly singer

FAMOUS FOR:  Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.

He is also a coach on The Voice UK.

BARRY MCGUIGAN 

Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle

AGE: 63

OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer

FAMOUS FOR:  Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.

GK BARRY

GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women

AGE: 25

OCCUPATION: TikTok star

FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.

DEAN MCCULLOUGH 

ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp

AGE: 32

OCCUPATION:  Radio 1 DJ

FAMOUS FOR:  Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.

Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.

JANE MOORE  

Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Journalist

 FAMOUS FOR:  Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.

She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.

MELVIN ODOOM  

Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021

AGE: 44

OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter

FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.

He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.

COLEEN ROONEY 

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: WAG

FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.

ALAN HALSALL  

Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street

AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Actor

FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.

TULISA  

Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year

AGE: 36

OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge

FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.

In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss.

She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.