Cilla: Made headlines the morning after the show

A spokeswoman for programme-maker LWT said: "We're absolutely thrilled. It just goes to prove that variety isn't dead."

The Royal Variety Performance unusually grabbed headlines after Black and Windsor performed a raunchy act in front of the queen.

Blind Date host Black wore a risqu� black outfit with illuminated bra and knickers, while EastEnders actress Windsor was in similar attire.

Upstaged

They teamed up with comedian Lily Savage for a rendition of Got To Have A Gimmick from the hit musical Gypsy.

The show also caused a stir when the troupe from the Broadway stage version of stripping movie The Full Monty also performed.

Walking With Beasts: Wednesday's show goes behind the scenes

The two routines upstaged performances by Sir Elton John and Jennifer Lopez.

But the biggest casualty was the BBC's The Science Of Walking With Beasts programme, which saw its viewers fall by one million on previous weeks.

The show gives an insight into the making of BBC One's top-rating new natural history series Walking With Beasts.

The Royal Variety Performance alternates between ITV1 and BBC One each year. In 2000, the show attracted 7.9 million viewers.