The Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards proved a huge hit on ITV this week - as the celebration of everyday heroes attracted 40% more young viewers than last year's show.
The share of 16-34 year olds watching the star-studded ceremony, hosted by Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo, was 28% - an annual increase of eight share points.
This made ITV the most popular channel with the age group throughout the two-hour slot from 8pm on Thursday.
Overall, 2.8 million viewers tuned in to watch the glittering event, held at London's Grosvenor House, with a peak of 3 million, which came just after 9pm.
The Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards was the most-watched show of the night, easily beating every other channel.
Highlights of the evening included lifetime achievement winner Jill Allen, 82, a blindness campaigner for the past 50 years, and child of courage Elizabeth Soffe, who was just six months old when she almost died in a cot fire.
The eight-year-old's burns covered 60 percent of her body but she has since raised funds for the medics who saved her.
Anton Du Beke said it was an "absolute honour" to present her with the award, adding: "Elizabeth, my love, it’s a 10 from all of us!"
The special recognition award went to 3 Dads Walking. Heart-broken fathers Andy Airey, 61, Mike Palmer, 57, and Tim Owen, 52, met through suicide prevention charity Papyrus after they all lost their daughters.
Now they raise funds for and awareness about preventing suicide in young people by walking and trekking around the country.
Presenter Vorderman, 61, says she now finds it easy to keep her emotions in check, thanks to 23 years experience at the helm of the very special awards.
"I find it so moving but I don't cry," she explained. "When I'm in tricky situations I go into this really calm state - I could almost take a nap. And by the time we go on stage I always know the winners really well."
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