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EastEnders tops Xmas ratings

27/12/2007

The revelation of Stacey and Max's affair on EastEnders was the most appealing TV moment of Christmas Day, it has been revealed.

The second instalment of the BBC1 soap's double bill was the most watched show on Christmas Day, with a peak of 13.9 million viewers.

Voyage of the Damned, the Christmas episode of Doctor Who, was the second most popular show in the festive schedules with 13.8 million viewers, while the return of Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles in To The Manor Born pulled in 10.1 million.

Coronation Street was ITV1's only entry in the top ten most-watched programmes, though its 9.6 million viewers was superseded by the 9.9 million who tuned in for Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1 at the same time.

According to figures from the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (Barb), 8.3 million people watched Disney/Pixar's animated hit Finding Nemo while a total audience of 7.5 million tuned in for the Queen's Christmas speech, marking the 50th anniversary of the monarch's first televised address.

BBC1 acting controller Roly Keating commented: "It's heartening to see that the great tradition of Christmas family viewing seems to be alive and well.

"We were delighted that audiences found so much to enjoy in our line-up of programmes on BBC1.

"From the compelling drama of EastEnders to a spectacular Doctor Who and the welcome return of To The Manor Born, this was a Christmas when some of the nation's favourite performers and writers did us all proud."

The top ten most-watched shows were:

1. EastEnders part two (13.9m)
2. Doctor Who (13.8m)
3. EastEnders part one (11.8m)
4= To The Manor Born (10.1m)
4= Shrek 2 (10.1m)
4= BBC News at 18:00 (10.1m)
7. Strictly Come Dancing Special (9.9m)
8. Coronation Street (9.6m)
9. Finding Nemo (8.3m)
10. The Queen's Christmas Message (7.5m*)
* BBC1 and ITV1 combined