The Top Gear audience grew for the first time since the new series began, with an average of 2.7 million people tuning in to Sunday’s episode.

The show saw an improvement on the 2.3 million who tuned in last week.

Paul Hollywood and Jennifer Saunders on Top Gear
(BBC Worldwide/Jeff Spicer)

Sunday’s episode, which featured guests Jennifer Saunders and Paul Hollywood, peaked with 3 million viewers.

The show has seen a constant tumble in ratings since the new series began with Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc at the helm.

Rory Reid, Matt LeBlanc, Chris Evans
Rory Reid, Matt LeBlanc, Chris Evans (BBC Worldwide/Jeff Spicer)

It debuted to 4.4 million viewers on May 29, but plummeted to 2.8 million in the second outing, 2.4 million in the third and 2.3 million last week.

The improvement in last night’s viewership gave the show a 12.5% share of the audience, a boost from the 10.4% it drew last week.

Chris Harris, Rory Reid, Norman Dewis, Matt LeBlanc, Chris Evans
Chris Harris, Rory Reid, Norman Dewis, Matt LeBlanc, Chris Evans (BBC Worldwide/Jeff Spicer)

Overnight ratings show that the Euro 2016 clash between Hungary and Belgium on BBC One pulled in 5.7 million and 26.6% of the audience at the same time.

If England beat Iceland in their clash tonight, qualifying them to play next Sunday, Top Gear will be moved from 8pm into an earlier timeslot of 6.30pm to allow viewers to watch the motoring programme before tuning into the match.

The show has failed to reach the viewing figures of the last series with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May during the opening night of Clarkson, Hammond and May Live at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.
Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May during the opening night of Clarkson, Hammond and May Live at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

The popular trio bowed out with 5.8 million viewers.

The new presenting team joined after the old team left following a fracas between lead presenter Jeremy and a producer over hot food.