Almost 20 million viewers flock to BBC to watch Three Lions triumph

Nearly 20 million viewers have watched England’s triumphantworldcupquarter-final win over Sweden on BBC One.

The public broadcaster recorded an average of 15.8 million watched the entire match on Saturday afternoon.

Figures peaked at 19.9 million viewers as the match ended.

The game was live-streamed online by 3.8 million people, making it the BBC’S highest online-viewed live programme ever.

The match received an 89 per cent share of the TV audience at its peak.

The bumper audience watched England advance to a World Cup semifinal for the first time in 28 years with a 2-0 victory.

A host of TV presenters, including broadcaster Andrew Marr, yesterday recognised the achievement by wearing waistcoats in support of England manager Gareth Southgate. Southgate has worn the sleeveless suit staple throughout England’s World Cup campaign in Russia, giving the item a new lease of life.

Marr sported a waistcoat to host The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One.

On Channel 4, Sunday Brunch hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer also opted to wear “lucky” waistcoats for the morning’s broadcast.