Ratings: 'EastEnders' murder plot climax watched by 7.4m

EastEnders claimed 7.4m viewers on Friday evening (August 17) as the Heather Trott murder storyline reached its long-awaited climax, overnight figures show.



The Walford soap pulled in 7.36m (34.9%) at 8pm on BBC One as Shirley had to decide whether to help the police or protect the Mitchells. At 9pm, 6.89m (31.7%) watched as Ben was finally charged with murder.

BBC Three's repeat screenings of EastEnders secured 531k (3.3%) and 715k (5.9%) at 10.30pm and 11pm respectively.

Coronation Street, meanwhile, pulled in 7.13m (36.4%) at 7.30pm on ITV1 and 127k (0.6%) on +1 with the drama at baby Joseph's christening. Izzy's decision to cut ties with dad Owen was later seen by 7.13m (32.7%) at 8.30pm and 230k (1.1%) on timeshift.

At 9pm on ITV1, the first part of Corrie Goes To Kenya mustered 1.77m (8.4%), with 108k (0.6%) watching on +1.

Emmerdale interested 5.77m (32.3%) at 7pm and 133k (0.6%) on +1 with more troubles for Zak and Lisa, while Hollyoaks managed 749k (4.4%) at 6.30pm on Channel 4 and 470k (2.6%) for E4's first look at 7pm.

Over on Channel 5, Neighbours appealed to 543k (7.0%) at 1.45pm and 764k (5.6%) at 5.30pm, while 5*'s classic Home and Away episodes entertained 175k (1.1%) and 189k (1.1%) at 6pm and 6.30pm respectively.

Elsewhere, the latest episode of Doctors - titled 'Good Citizens' - had 1.27m (16.4%) at 1.45pm on BBC One.