BBC reigns supreme in the Christmas Day ratings battle as The King’s first speech is most watched

The BBC won the rating battle for Christmas Day, with the King’s first Christmas speech being the most watched show.

King Charles III used his first speech to pay tribute to his late mother and thanked the public for their messages of support following her passing earlier this year. 

Making the first festive King’s Speech since 1951, the new monarch said he remained deeply touched by the ‘love and sympathy you have shown our whole family’ following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September.

Around 8.1 million people tuned in to watch King Charles, peaking at 8.3 million and taking 54.1 per cent of viewership.

The BBC also took the crown for the next five highest watched shows, with ITV limping in to second place with positions seven, nine and ten.

Coming in at second was the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, which was won by Alexandra Mardell. 

5.4 million people watched her fight off competition from Nicola Roberts, Larry Lamb, Rickie Haywood-Williams, Rosie Ramsey and George Webster. 

Winners: Corrie’s Alexandra Mardell won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special on Sunday alongside pro dancer Kai Widdrington

Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Wheel was right behind, with viewing figures of 4.8 million which peaked at 5.2 million.

Call The Midwife narrowly missed out on the top three, being watched by 4.5 million viewers. 

However, EastEnders only managed to pull in 3.2 million for its Christmas Day special, which saw fan-favourite Danny Dyer apparently killed off.

While this was an increase of 0.3 million from last year’s 2.9 million viewers, it meant that the soap came in eighth place, behind Aladdin, Ghosts and Doc Martin. 

Trailing behind: However, EastEnders only managed to pull in 3.2 million for its Christmas Day special, which saw fan-favourite Danny Dyer apparently killed off

However it did manage to beat out competition from rivals Coronation Street and Emmerdale, which only managed 2.8 million and 2.6 million respectively.

Meanwhile, for ITV the best performing programmes were Corrie, Ant and Dec’s Christmas Limitless Win and The Chase Celebrity Christmas Special.

The divisive Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special managed just 2.4 million on BBC One.

While Channel 4 managed to crack the top 20, with Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Gogglebox 2022 and The Great Festive Pottery Throwdown.