'Emmerdale' was Thursday's top-rated soap

Emmerdale was ahead in Thursday evening's soap ratings (October 24) as new regular Ross Barton was unveiled, overnight figures show.



6.87m (34.1%) watched at 7pm on ITV and 118k (0.5%) on +1 as carjacker Ross burst into Butler's Farm and interrupted Cain's proposal to Moira. 6.48m (29.1%) returned at 8pm and 328k (1.5%) on +1 as Ross's identity was confirmed and Cain was left unsettled by his presence.

EastEnders brought in 6.51m (31.1%) at 7.30pm on BBC One as Alice agreed to help Michael by drugging Janine. BBC Three's repeat screening secured 364k (2.6%) at 10.30pm.

Waterloo Road continued with 2.97m (13.6%) at 8pm on BBC One as Barry and Darren caused more trouble at the school.

Hollyoaks interested 994k (5.3%) at 6.30pm on Channel 4 as the Lomax family were united on screen for the first time, while E4's first look had 602k (3.0%) at 7pm and 184k (0.8%) on +1.

Over on Channel 5, Neighbours was seen by 611k (10.2%) at 1.45pm and 841k (5.9%) at 5.30pm, while Home and Away mustered 248k (4.0%) at 1.15pm, 647k (3.8%) at 6pm and 445k (2.3%) for 5*'s first look at 6.30pm.

Elsewhere, the latest episode of Doctors was seen by 1.2m (20.1%) at 1.45pm on BBC One.