'EastEnders' beats 'Downton Abbey' in Christmas Day ratings

EastEnders led Downton Abbey in last night's Christmas Day ratings clash, early figures show.



As Ben was revealed as Phil's stalker and Yusef prepared to set fire to the B&B, 9.92m (33.4%) tuned in for Albert Square's annual festive special, which ran in the 9pm hour. 700k (4.2%) watched again on BBC Three at 11.05pm.

Downton Abbey's two-hour special airing opposite EastEnders, averaged 8.13m (29.4%) for ITV1 and 433k (2%) for +1.

Coronation Street's 9.03m (32.8%) and 268k (0.9%) on +1 at 8pm made the soap ITV1's most-watched show for the second year running, while Emmerdale took 6.24m (27.2%) at 6pm (+1: 503k/1.9%), and 6.13m (23.5%) watched All Star Family Fortunes at 7pm (+1: 234k/0.9%).

Absolutely Fabulous' return captivated 7.43m (27.5%) for BBC One at 10pm, then Michael McIntyre's Christmas Comedy Roadshow amused 6.45m (29.2%) from 10.30pm as the channel started to wind up for the evening.

Doctor Who's star-studded, Narnia-themed episode appealed to 8.92m (34.2%) at 7pm, prior to which The Gruffalo's Child grabbed 6.47m (27.7%) at 6.30pm. Charlie Brooks's Strictly Come Dancing win was witnessed by 7.52 (27.3%) in the 8pm hour.

Overall, BBC One topped primetime with 30.3%, only marginally ahead of ITV1, which put in 29% (+1: 1.3%). Channel 4 claimed third with 5.8%, beating BBC Two's 5.2%, and Channel 5's 1.9%.

The Queen's Speech reached a total audience of 8.6m this year, with 6.29m (37.3%) watching the 3pm broadcast on BBC One, and a further 2.15m (12.8%) tuning in on ITV1 (+1: 196k/1.2%).

Military Wives' chart victory on Top of the Pops' Christmas special on BBC One was seen by 3.93m (28.1%) at 2pm.