EU referendum: David Cameron and Nigel Farage ITV clash beats Top Gear in ratings

More people tuned in to watch David Cameron clash with Nigel Farage over the EU referendum than watched the second show of the new Top Gear series, according to ITV. A spokesman for the broadcaster said an average of four million viewers watched the live question and answer programme from 9pm BST on 7 June.

The hour-long show saw the prime minister and Ukip leader challenged on a number of issues, including immigration and the economy. The programme's audience peaked at 4.6 million and the show attracted a 19.7% share for its slot. The average figure of four million means the ITV broadcast beat the second episode of the new Top Gear series, which attracted an average of 2.8 million viewers on 5 June.

The data will be a boost to ITV, who will host an EU referendum debate on 9 June. The event will feature six panellists from the Leave and Remain campaigns, including chief Vote Leave spokesman Boris Johnson and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.

Sky News has already held its series of live EU referendum shows, which saw Cameron and Michael Gove interviewed on separate days, and the BBC will host a number of programmes, including a live debate at Wembley Stadium on 21 June, just two days before polls open on 23 June.

IBTimes UK attended the ITV spin room in Westminster, where we spoke to the likes of Energy Secretary Amber Rudd, Ukip MEP Steven Woolfe and Labour MP Stephen Kinnock. You can also check out a round-up of the 7 June ITV show here.