Game of Thrones season 8 premiere was watched by one billion people

***Contains spoilers for Game of Thrones season 8 episode 1***

One billion people tuned in to watch the first episode of Game of Thrones’ eighth and final series on Sunday night.

The opening installment aired in 170 countries and was filled to the brim with heartwarming reunions, intertwined with one of the most gruesome deaths of the whole entire HBO franchise.

Ahead of the hotly-anticipated show’s return, it was reported that an alarming number of Brits were planning to pull a sickie for the premiere, with those most invested in what’s happening in Westeros living in Yorkshire, Wales and the South East.

Memes have been coming in thick and fast since the premiere, with the cream of the crop poking fun at Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) arriving at Winterfell only to be greeted by Bran Stark’s (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) steely stare.

Viewers finally discovered what happened to Ed Sheeran too, learning that he’d been killed off in a brutal fashion.

All our favourite remaining characters are fighting for their spot on the infamous Iron Throne, with the latest odds pitting all-seeing warg Bran Stark as the favourite.

Sansa (Sophie Turner) is right behind her brother, with Jon Snow (Kit Harington) ranking in third place.

Game Of Thrones continues Sunday on HBO and Sky Atlantic. And is available to watch on NOW TV.

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