Christmas Day TV ratings: Michael McIntyre and the Queen come out on top

Comic Michael McIntyre and the Queen have notched up the most viewed broadcasts on Christmas Day.
Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show was the most-watched Tv show of Christmas Day. Pic: Hungry McBear/Gary Moyes.Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show was the most-watched Tv show of Christmas Day. Pic: Hungry McBear/Gary Moyes.
Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show was the most-watched Tv show of Christmas Day. Pic: Hungry McBear/Gary Moyes.

With 6.1 million viewers, Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show, on BBC One, was the surprise hit of the day.

It beat the Strictly Come Dancing, Call The Midwife and Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas specials.

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But when audiences on channels are combined, the Queen's Christmas Day broadcast overtook the funnyman.

It enjoyed a combined audience of 6.3 million on BBC One (5.2 million) and ITV (1.1 million), which includes plus-one, and it was also broadcast on Sky.

But the figures have dropped from the 7.5 million that the broadcast attracted on BBC One and ITV last year.

The BBC features in nine of the top 10 shows of the day, with ITV's highest rating programme going to Coronation Street, which was watched by 4.6 million, including plus-one.

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Its Torvill and Dean biopic had glowing reviews, but did not make the top 10 - with 2.9 million viewers.

Other shows in the top 10 include The Jungle Book film, EastEnders and children's favourite Zog.

McIntyre's Big Christmas Show, the top-rated single channel show, was recorded at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and featured live music from Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins.

Charlotte Moore, director of BBC content said: "We're happy so many people chose to watch BBC One this Christmas Day.

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"Whether it be entertainment shows such as Michael McIntyre and Strictly Come Dancing, drama like Call The Midwife or comedy with Mrs Brown's Boys we want to offer something for everyone."

Top 10

1. Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show, BBC One, 6.1 million

2. Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, BBC One, 5.8 million

3. Call The Midwife Christmas Special, BBC One, 5.5 million

4. The Queen's Christmas Broadcast, BBC One, 5.2 million

5. The Jungle Book, BBC One, 5.2 million

6. EastEnders, BBC One, 5 million

7. BBC News, BBC One, 4.7 million

8. Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special, BBC One, 4.7 million

9. Coronation Street, ITV, 4.6 million, includes plus-one

10. Zog, BBC One, 4.5 million