Michael Jackson's candid confessions drew one of the biggest audiences for a TV documentary for years.
Over 15 million people in Britain tuned in last night to see Mr Martin Bashir's revealing portrait on ITV1 and TV3 in which Jackson told how he shares his bed with children.
Apart from soaps, very few shows manage to pull in such large audiences and ITV chiefs said they were "very pleased" with the numbers viewing.
Unofficial overnight figures showed an average of 14.1 million people watched the show, with a peak of 15.1 million. A further 1.7 million are believed to have recorded the show.
TV3, which aired the documentary at the same time as ITV1, said 412,000 Irish viewers tuned in giving it the number one ranking in Ireland. The programme was broadcast from 9 p.m. to 10.45 p.m.
In last night's documentary, Jackson disclosed that he had formed a close friendship with a 12-year-old boy who regularly spent the night in his bed at his Neverland mansion. Mr Jackson (44) said: "It's very loving. What's wrong with sharing a love?"
Viewers also saw Jackson's three children - his five-year-old son, Prince Michael I; four-year-old daughter Paris; and baby boy Prince Michael II, whom he has dubbed "Blanket".
He insisted there was nothing wrong with the notorious incident in which he dangled Blanket over a balcony, saying the baby had enjoyed it.
Mr Bashir's interview with the late Diana, Princess Of Wales - in which she famously remarked "there were three of us in this marriage" - drew an audience of 22.8 million.
PA