The Queen’s speech tops Christmas Day TV ratings as she beats Michael McIntyre’s festive special, Strictly and Call the Midwife with 6.3m viewers (but that’s one million fewer than 2017)
- Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show on BBC 1 watched by 6.1 million people
- It beat out the likes of Strictly, Call The Midwife and Mrs Brown’s Boys’ specials
- Meanwhile, The Queen’s Speech enjoyed a combined audience of 6.3 million
The Queen’s Speech was the most popular programme on Christmas Day, beating Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show which also proved to be a surprise hit.
Her Majesty’s Christmas Day speech on the BBC attracted 5.2 million viewers, as well as a further 1.1 million people on ITV.
However, despite the combined audience of 6.3 million, the figures have dropped from the 7.5 million that the broadcast attracted on BBC One and ITV last year.
The Queen gave her Christmas Day message in the White Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace
Michael McIntyre’s Christmas show, on the other hand, aired on BBC One and had 6.1 million viewers, beating the likes of Strictly, Call The Midwife and Mrs Brown’s Boys’ Christmas specials.
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 viewers.
Its Torvill and Dean biopic had glowing reviews but did not make the top 10 – with 2.9 million viewers.
Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show aired on BBC One and had 6.1 million viewers, beating the likes of Strictly, Call The Midwife and Mrs Brown’s Boys’ Christmas specials
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.
‘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.’