The soap’s most-viewed Christmas episode remains the 1986 instalment (Image: BBC)
Christmas Day television specials have become a cherished tradition in many UK homes. For fans of the soaps, Christmas special is a must-watch, known for its dramatic storylines involving death, tragedy or revenge.
The 2010 Christmas Day episode was one of the most-watched of the decade, drawing over 11.4 million viewers to witness Stacey Branning’s departure and her deadly secret revealed by Janine Butcher.
However, the soap’s most-viewed Christmas episode remains the 1986 instalment featuring Angie and Den’s split, which attracted a staggering 30 million viewers.
But what about other shows that offer festive specials?
Here at Express Online, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best Christmas Day episodes from other TV favourites, including , and Mrs Brown’s Boys.
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Only Fools and Horses has seen some popular festive episodes over the years (Image: BBC/Getty Images)
In 2019, viewers were thrilled by the return of a beloved show. After nearly a decade-long break, made a triumphant comeback with a one-off Christmas special.
The episode drew an impressive 17.1 million viewers and ended on a tantalising cliffhanger. This success made it the most-watched TV comedy in 17 years, surpassing Only Fools and Horses in 2002.
Gavin and Stacey is set to return for one last time this year for it’s last ever episode on Christmas Day.
Following announcement of a series finale later this year, the bookies Ladbrokes make the Christmas special just 4/5 to be the most watched TV show on 25th December.
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Gavin and Stacey will return again for the last time on Christmas Day (Image: BBC)
Another popular programme, , topped the ratings on Christmas Day in 2016 and again in 2018. However, it couldn’t compete with the return of Gavin and Stacey in 2019.
In 2020, The Queen’s Christmas message attracted a whopping 6.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched programme of the day.
Similarly, King Charles III’s first ever Christmas message in 2022 became the most-watched show, pulling in 8.1 million viewers on One. The following year, he attracted 5 million watchers and again topped the list.
Mrs Brown’s Boys, a perennial favourite during the festive season in the 2010s, experienced its lowest ratings ever in 2020 when it pulled in only 3.8 million.
In 2008, Wallace and Gromit’s latest escapade was the most viewed television programme on Christmas Day, with ‘Wallace and Gromit – A Matter Of Loaf and Death’ drawing over 14 million viewers.
The record for the most successful Doctor Who Christmas special was set in 2007 when 13.31 million people tuned in to watch ‘Voyage of the Damned’, which also ranked as the second most-watched episode of British TV that year.
But what is the most-viewed Christmas special in Britain?
EastEnders pulls in million of viewers each year on Christmas Day (Image: BBC)
That honour goes to Only Fools and Horses. In 1996, the Christmas Day episode pulled in an impressive 24 million viewers.
The show also took second place in 2001, with its Christmas Day edition attracting 21.35m viewers.
The Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (Barb) currently calculates audience numbers from various sources, including the internet, television, and even repeat showings.