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.
Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 12:16 pm