His appearance may have stirred controversy and sparked huge protests.

But for NBC, their choice to let Donald Trump host Saturday Night Live proved to be a success, as they scored their biggest ratings in almost four years.

According to Nielsen, last night's show averaged a 6.6 rating/16 share in metered-market household results, up 57 per cent from the show's fall average (4.2) and the top rating since January 7, 2012 with host Charles Barkley and musical guest Kelly Clarkson.

The official viewing numbers will be released later this week, but it has been predicted that around 10 million people were watching.

Scroll down for video

Donald Trump's appearance on Saturday Night Live gave NBC their biggest ratings since 2012

Saturday's rating is also up 53 per cent in comparison to SNL's average in November last year (4.3).

According to Entertainment Weekly Trump's overnight rating was 47 per cent higher than the season premier featuring Miley Cyrus and Hillary Clinton.

Around 6.3million people watched that show.

Trump took to the stage on Saturday as the frontrunner in the GOP race for president. It was his second time as a host, having previously taken to the stage in 2004 when he was hosting The Apprentice.

During the show he mocked his own ego, poked fun at his campaign promises, and even showed off his dad dancing skills to Drake's Hotline Bling.

In his opening monologue, Trump told viewers he'd come on the show to prove 'I can take a joke', and the SNL comedians certainly pulled no punches.

From Bobby Moynihan's 'drunk uncle' explaining why he's voting for The Donald, to Trump asking Kenan Thompson for his birth certificate because 'Kenan' is one letter away from 'Kenyan', the Republican frontrunner seemed determined to show his thick skin.

And, in a nod to an anti-Trump campaigner who encouraged people to heckle during the show, Larry David even shouted out 'you're a racist' as Trump delivered his monologue.

Confused at who was shouting at him, Trump turned around and saw comedian David, who co-produced 'Seinfeld'.

And when Trump asked him what he was doing, David responded: 'I heard if I yelled that they'd give me $5,000.'

Trump told viewers he'd come on the show to prove 'I can take a joke', and the SNL comedians certainly pulled no punches

Trump quipped back: 'As a businessman, I can fully respect that.'

Meanwhile, in the build-up to his Trump's star turn, demonstrators marched from Trump Tower to NBC's studio in Rockefeller Plaza.

There, they brandished signs in both Spanish and English declaring SNL racist and demanding the show 'Dump Trump'.

During the news segment with Colin Jost and Michael Che, the comics even brought attention the protesters that had gathered outside the studio during one of their jokes.