The World Cup clash between England and Sweden gave ITV1 its highest audience share ever as 84% of the viewing public tuned in to watch the 1-1 draw.

The match attracted a peak of almost 14 million households - double the previous highest level for a Sunday morning show.

The number of people who saw it is likely to be much higher as many people watched together in pubs or at home.

David Beckham is a big star in Japan

It beat the previous record for a Sunday morning, set by the 1994 London Marathon, which drew 5.6 million.

The figure was also higher than that for England's opening game at the last World Cup, against Tunisia in 1998, which was watched by 11.3 million.

"This is a phenomenal audience and proves that despite the time differences, viewers will make a date for the big games," according to ITV Controller of Sport Brian Barwick.

An average of 12.5 million households saw the game - with the peak of 13.7 million coming during the second half climax.

A repeat of the Parkinson chat show on BBC One drew 400,000 viewers - just 2.4% of the available audience.

In Japan, where many of the matches are being held, the viewing figures have also been encouraging.

There had been concerns that many matches would be overshadowed by live broadcasts of baseball, which is extremely popular in the country.

But the opening game, between Senegal and France, drew 36% of the viewing audience - beating a baseball game on another channel, watched by 14%.

The England game against Sweden drew a 30% viewing level, thanks in part to the celebrity status of David Beckham and Michael Owen.