'EastEnders' two-hander takes 8.4m

[dutchman]

Max and Stacey's two-hander episode of EastEnders snared the Walford serial a victory in last night's soap ratings, despite logging its lowest figures of the year.

The special screening, which featured only Jake Wood and Lacey Turner as Max and Stacey Branning, drew 8.35m (36.4%) in the half hour from 8pm. BBC Three's 10pm repeat added a further 827k (4.1%) at 10pm and was the most-watched multichannel programme of the day.

Coronation Street's final two episodes of the week, during which David tried to intimidate witnesses and Sophie's date with Lee went awry, had 7.94m (35.9%) and 8.09m (34.1%) at 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

The first episode put in the long-running soap's worst 7.30pm performance of the year.

ITV2's repeats in the hour from 11.35pm added 209k (2.3%) and 259k (4.1%) respectively.

ITV's latest offering of Emmerdale had 6.96m (33.9%) at its usual time of 7pm.

BBC One's Doctors, yesterday titled 'Freddie's Final Fling', interested 1.72m (23.3%), before Decade of Doctors took 1.72m (23.3%).

Five's Australian hour began with 1.23m (8.2%) tuning in for Neighbours at 5.30pm, while Home and Away saw its lowest audience of 2010 as 864k caught the 6pm edition.

Fiver's first look at Monday evening's Home and Away was watched by 522k (2.7%), before 186k (0.9%) saw Neighbours' 7pm repeat.

Hollyoaks attracted 1.12m (5.8%) with its 6.30pm edition on Channel 4 and E4's first look brought in a further 372k (1.8%). Its timeshift showing on E4+1 added 100k (0.4%).