EastEnders hit the 8 million mark for the first time since March on Monday evening (November 18), overnight figures show.
The Walford soap's steady increase in the ratings continued as 8.03m (32.9%) watched the return of Shirley Carter and the first appearance of her sister Tina at 8pm on BBC One. BBC Three's repeat screening secured 433k (2.9%) at 10.30pm.
Coronation Street remained ahead of its BBC rival, however, as more issues for Nick and Leanne's marriage brought in 9.03m (39.6%) at 7.30pm on ITV and 176k (0.7%) on +1. 9m (36.0%) returned at 8.30pm and 124k (0.5%) on +1 as Peter issued a warning over Nick's treatment of Simon.
Emmerdale appealed to 7.39m (34.0%) at 7pm on ITV and 153k (0.6%) on +1 as Paddy and Rhona's relationship came under further strain.
Hollyoaks enjoyed a strong evening as Tony's problems with bad boy Trevor were seen by 1.41m (6.8%) at 6.30pm on Channel 4 and 102k (0.4%) on +1 - the show's highest figure of the year. E4's first look also did well with 811k (3.7%) watching at 7pm and 135k (0.6%) on +1.
Over on Channel 5, Neighbours entertained 636k (8.6%) at 1.45pm and 989k (5.9%) at 5.30pm, while Home and Away managed 276k (3.6%) at 1.15pm, 705k (3.7%) at 6pm and 475k (2.3%) for 5*'s first look at 6.30pm.
Elsewhere, the latest episode of Doctors interested 1.65m (22.6%) at 1.45pm on BBC One.
