EastEnders was ahead in Thursday's soap ratings...

EastEnders was Thursday evening's top-rated soap (April 17) with Lucy Beale's penultimate episode, overnight figures show.



In the build-up to Lucy's tragic exit storyline, the Walford drama pulled in 6.47m (33.1%) at 7.30pm on BBC One as Ian was stunned to find cocaine in his daughter's jewellery box. BBC Three's repeat screening later had its highest figure since March 4 with 523k (3.5%) watching at 10.30pm.

Emmerdale attracted 6.1m (32.8%) at 7pm on ITV and 186k (0.9%) on +1 as Declan clumsily proposed to Charity. 5.55m (26.1%) returned at 8pm and 187k (0.9%) on +1 as the couple's engagement and baby news was revealed at The Woolpack.

Hollyoaks rose to 1.06m (6.1%) at 6.30pm on Channel 4 as Sandy was left in danger, while E4's first look continued to perform strongly with 883k (4.7%) at 7pm and 144k (0.7%) on +1.

Over on Channel 5, Neighbours had its highest teatime figure of the month so far with 889k (6.4%) at 5.30pm, while the lunchtime screening had 544k (8.4%) at 1.45pm. Home and Away grabbed 210k (3.0%) at 1.15pm, 561k (3.6%) at 6pm and 365k (2.1%) with 5*'s first look at 6.30pm.