TV coverage of the Brit Awards has recovered following a ratings low with 5.8 million viewers last night – but suffered at the hands of the Comic Relief version of Bake Off.

Last year, just 4.6 million watched the music awards on ITV, the lowest figures since 2006.

Bake Off judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry
Bake Off judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry (BBC/Love Productions/Tom Dymond)

Wednesday night’s show, in which Madonna caused the biggest shock by tumbling backwards off the stage steps, attracted an average of 5.8 million viewers (26% share).

But The Great Comic Relief Bake Off, which saw actor Michael Sheen impress with a three-tiered pavlova, attracted six million viewers on BBC One.

Sam Smith at the Brits
Sam Smith at the Brits (Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Presented by duo Ant and Dec, the Brits, which aired between 8pm and 10.30pm and saw Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran take the big prizes, peaked with 6.8 million viewers between 10.10 and 10.15pm.

Bake Off, which saw Sheen win the title of star baker and was broadcast between 8pm and 9pm, peaked at 6.5 million.