Once we’ve all stuffed our faces with a festive Turkey dinner, families across the UK gather around to watch the Christmas specials on our TV screens- so which show proved to be the favourite among us Brits this year?
Unsurprisingly, the Queen’s Christmas Broadcast on the BBC was the most-watched programme as the 10-minute speech was watched by 7.4 million viewers. The Queen paid tribute to her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away earlier this year in April, and discussed the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“And for me and my family, even with one familiar laugh missing this year, there will be joy in Christmas, as we have the chance to reminisce…”
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 25, 2021
In her 2021 broadcast, The Queen reflects on the life of the Duke of Edinburgh, while looking ahead to her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. pic.twitter.com/IMf3aW4IxI
Meanwhile, outside of the Queen’s annual message, it seems most of us enjoy watching our favourite celebrities do the samba or jive after the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special proved to be a smash hit in terms of ratings this December 25th with an average of 5.8 million viewers, according to the BBC’s overnight figures.
Singer Anne-Marie, former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc, First Dates star Fred Sirieix, Jay Blades from The Repair Shop, newsreader Moira Stuart and former The One Show host Adrian Chiles, all took to the dancefloor.
*Spoilers ahead*
Ultimately it was Anne-Marie who scored the highest marks, after her cha cha performance alongside professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima earned the 30-year-old a perfect score of 40 from the judges.
It's the best Christmas present you could ask for, winning the #Strictly Festive Special. Congratulations Anne Marie and Graziano! @AnneMarie @GrazianoDiPrima 🏆 pic.twitter.com/lcjFeBwxSX
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) December 25, 2021
On Christmas Day, BBC One was the channel that came out on top of the ratings - with eight of their shows in the top 10, while soaps Coronation Street (3.25m) and Emmerdale (3m) secured ITV eighth and ninth position.
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Call The Midwife came in third place with 4.7 million viewers, while Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Wheel took fourth with 4.6 million, while Blankety Blank was fifth with 4.2 million.
A modern sequel of a Disney classic was sixth, as 3.7 million viewers watched Mary Poppins Returns, the 2018 sequel to the well-loved 1964 film. Something for the kids on the list was the animated movie Superworm in seventh at 3.34 million.
In 10th place, 2.9 million viewers tuned into the latest drama in Walford for the festive EastEnders special.
In previous years, BBC One sitcom Mrs Brown’s Boys would have made an appearance on the list, however this year it didn’t break into the top 10.
Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer said: “Viewers chose the BBC on Christmas Day and entertained them in their millions, with Strictly taking the top spot.
“Nothing brings the country together at Christmas quite like the BBC, there was something for everyone with the seven most popular programmes across the day that caps off a brilliant year on the BBC, celebrating British creativity where we have delivered hits and award winning work and seen huge audiences come to our shows.
“It’s these moments, in a time of intense competition, that prove that after 99 years the BBC matters more than ever.
“We have an ambitious and exciting year ahead in 2022 to mark our centenary year with an unmissable range of world class content that will celebrate and reflect the unique role the BBC continues to play in the lives of audiences across the UK.”
Additional reporting by PA.
