More people watched Boris Johnson ‘apologise’ on PMQs than the last X Factor final

Millions tuned in to watch the PM’s ‘apology’ to the nation (Picture: Getty)

Prime Minister’s Questions brought in more viewers on January 12 than the last final of The X Factor as millions tuned into watch Boris Johnson ‘apologise’ for Downing Street’s Bring Your Own Booze party hosted at the height of the pandemic.

Yesterday, Mr Johnson finally faced Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as he was forced to address allegations Tory staff threw a boozy bash which he attended while people were left dying alone in hospital and their loved ones were unable to attend their funerals because they followed the rules that he laid out.

A total of 3million viewers are believed to have tuned in to yesterday’s PMQs across BBC, ITV, and the News channels.

More people watched the drama unfold on BBC Two than BBC One, while thousands tuned in on ITV after This Morning actually cut its broadcast to follow Johnson and Starmer’s showdown.

To compare, The X Factor’s last final in 2019 attracted 1.7 million viewers, while its celebrity version bowed out with just 2.95 million.

The X Factor was once the most popular show on television (Picture: Tuttle/Thames/Syco/REX/Shutterstock)

Opening yesterday’s PMQs, Mr Johnson apologised for attending the Downing Street garden party, but claimed he was under the impression it would be classed as a work event under the rules that he set.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said ‘the party is over’ and called on him to resign.

He said: ‘That code says ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation.

‘The party’s over, prime minister. The only question is will the British public kick him out, will his party kick him out or will he do the decent thing and resign?’

Even Conservative MPs are now openly calling for Mr Johnson’s resignation as Labour leaps ahead by 10 points in the polls.

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