The show averaged 11.3m viewers between 8pm and 10pm, a 44% share of the TV audience and one million more viewers than last year's first live show attracted, ITV said.
'Strictly Come Dancing' could only manage an average of eight million viewers between 7pm and 9.15pm, a 32% share.
Earlier in the evening BBC One's 'Merlin' drew 5.1m viewers and a 26.9% share at 6.15-7pm. It beat ITV1's 'People Do The Funniest Things ... Abroad' by 900,000 viewers.
On Sunday night the 'X-Factor' results show topped its Saturday ratings, earning 13m viewers and a 46.3% share at 8-9pm.
'X Factor' judge Danni Minogue was forced to apologise to contestant Danyl Johnson on the show after remarks she made regarding his sexuality during the live show on Saturday.
The Sunday night show was also broadcast without judge Louis Walsh. Walsh was too upset to appear on the show following the death of Stephen Gately in Majorca on Saturday.
Walsh created and managed Gately's band Boyzone and lead them to major success during the 90s.
BBC One's ratings were again lower than its rival's, with its 8-9pm offering 'Antiques Roadshow' bringing in 5.5m viewers and a 19.4% share.
This was followed by the second part of its Jane Austen adaptation 'Emma', which got 3.5m viewers and a 13.5% share but was well behind 'Doc Martin' on ITV1. The Martin Clunes show managed 8.7m viewers, giving ITV1 a 33% share of viewing.
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