Andrew Neil, 72, is 'taking a break' from GB News less than two weeks after new channel launched but insists 'you ain't seen nothing yet' after his show attracted 26% more viewers than BBC News

Andrew Neil is already taking a break from GB News - less than two weeks after launching the TV channel.

The veteran broadcaster told viewers last night 'you ain't seen nothing yet' - just hours after it emerged that the fledgling station had attracted 26% more viewers than BBC News earlier this week.

But, while the 72-year-old said he was stepping away for 'a few weeks', confirmed to viewers that he'd be back 'before the summer is out'. 

His show will be covered by former Sky News presenter Colin Brazier in his absence.

He told viewers: 'In two short weeks, we've already built a loyal audience which has beaten all of our expectations, it's often bigger than the other news channels and it's growing. 

Andrew Neil is already taking a break from GB News - less than two weeks after launching the TV channel

'That's the real story about GB News to date and you won't often read that in the papers.

'So on behalf of GB News, I say to all of our viewers, thank you. We won't let you down and you ain't seen nothing yet.'

 Indeed on Wednesday night, Neil's flagship 8pm interview show brought in 92,500 viewers - while competing with huge European football matches.

Audience data shows the former This Week presenter scored three times higher than Sky News at the same time, and 24,000 more than BBC News.

The 72-year-old took to social media to celebrate the news, writing: 'Great figures on @GBNEWS Andrew Neil show last night. Number one in time slot .

'Three times audience of Sky News. 26% more than BBC News Channel. And we've only just begun.'

It was also reported that the show attracted 'quite a young audience' with higher numbers in the 16 to 35-year-old demographic.

The post saw mixed responses from viewers, with some congratulating Andrew on the figures.

One said: 'Congratulations. You are a very skilled interviewer who can attract high calibre guests. What are the numbers like for the rest of the GBNEWS output?'

Another wrote: 'You've built it and they've come,' while a third added: 'It's so much calmer than watching GMB. It's nice to start the day without having to shout at the TV for a change. When are you going to interview Sturgeon?'

But others pointed out that the slot doesn't coincide with many other major news platforms. 

It comes after an Ofcom boss said he has seen nothing 'problematic' on GB News after brands pulled advertising from the new channel.

Group director of content and media policy Kevin Bakhurst said there was 'nothing that would worry me as a regulator' about its content.

Brands including Ikea, Vodafone and the Open University withdrew after pressure from hard-left campaign groups.

Mr Bakhurst, a former BBC news executive, said he was not part of Ofcom's 'formal monitoring' but had been tuning in. 

He told a media industry event everything he had seen was 'accurate' and looked like it achieved 'due impartiality'.

'From what I've seen so far, and I was watching it through my news background but also through my regulator's eye now, overall there's nothing that leaps out at me as thinking 'that's problematic'.'

Launching the show two weeks ago, Neil gave a five minute introduction for viewers, saying the network would concentrate on 'the stories that matter to you and that others are neglecting'

Launching the show two weeks ago, Neil gave a five minute introduction for viewers, saying the network would concentrate on 'the stories that matter to you and that others are neglecting'.

He added: 'We are committed to covering the people's agenda, not the media's agenda. 

'GB News will not be yet another echo chamber for the metropolitan mindset that already dominates so much of the media.

'We are proud to be British, the clue is in the name, and while we will never hold back from covering our country's many flaws and problems... we won't forget what the B stands for in our title.  

'We will puncture the pomposity of our elites... and expose their growing promotion of cancel culture for the threat to free speech and democracy that it is.'