It is one of the most popular shows that has ever been made with millions of people across the world tuning in to watch its steamy sex scenes and graphic fights.

And now it has emerged that Game of Thrones not only affects other television channels and programmes - it also impacts the porn industry.

Online viewing of porn dropped by around 4 per cent - equating to millions of people - while the first episode of the new series aired on Sunday, according to Pornhub.

Online viewing of porn dropped by around 4 per cent - equating to millions of people - while the first episode of the new series of Game of Thrones aired on Sunday, according to Pornhub. The show is renowned for its steamy sex scenes (above) and graphic content

Data showed the number of active users in the U.S. started decreasing in the hour before the show started and did not return back to average levels until four hours later.

It also found searches for Game of Thrones-related videos and pictures of characters also rocketed by nearly 370 per cent on the day of the premiere.

Emilia Clarke, who plays blonde princess Daenerys Targaryen and who regularly appears naked in the show, was the top search.

She was followed by Natalie Dormer, as Margaery Tyrell, and Sibel Kekilli, who plays Shae.

Non-character-related queries included Game of Thrones 'sex scene', 'parody' and 'porn'.

It comes after one actor involved in the popular show, which is renowned for its adult content, hit out at hardcore fans by stating the programme is 'only t**s and dragons'.

Data, tracked on the graph above, showed the number of active users in the U.S. started decreasing in the hour before the show started and did not return back to average levels until four hours later

Emilia Clarke, who plays blonde princess Daenerys Targaryen (left) and who regularly appears naked in the show, was the top search on Pornhub on the day of the premiere, which featured a naked Melisandre (right)

The premiere started with a reminder that popular character Jon Snow was left dead in the snow at the end of the last series - although fans have speculated on whether he will return

Ian McShane made the comment about the show during an interview in which he revealed he found the fans' obsession with spoilers irritating.

The 73-year-old told The Telegraph: 'You say the slightest thing and the internet goes ape. I was accused of giving the plot away, but I just think, “Get a f***ing life”. It’s only t**s and dragons.'

Game of Thrones has made headlines on a number of occasions due to its graphic content, which includes incest, rape and full-frontal nudity.

They include a brother owner instructing his prostitutes how to fake an orgasm while watching them engage in sexual acts with each other and an orgy in season four.