The winner of the Christmas Day TV ratings battle has been revealed. Call the Midwife took the title for the second year in a row, drawing in an audience of 9.6million viewers. The BBC One drama's special festive episode saw Sister Julienne (played by Jenny Agutter) embroiled in a harrowing storyline surrounding historic child abuse. It triumphed over Mrs Brown's Boys, which came in second place with nine million people tuning in, and Strictly Come Dancing in third position. The Christmas special of the dance show attracted an audience of 8.3million, with Katie Derham crowned the winner.
Call the Midwife won the Christmas TV ratings battle with 9.6million viewers
In the world of soaps, EastEnders pipped its ITV rival Coronation Street to the post. The BBC show took fourth position with 8.1million, while Corrie drew in an audience of seven million, taking sixth place. Separating the two was Doctor Who, with 7.9million people tuning in for their first glimpse of the new female Time Lord, Jodie Whittaker.
Mrs Brown's Boys came in second place
Speaking about Call the Midwife's success, creator Heidi Thomas said: "We never take the loyalty of our fantastic audience for granted, and it's just wonderful to see how many people enjoyed the Christmas Special this year." Executive producer Pippa Harris added: "It's so heartening to know that Call the Midwife has become such a staple of Christmas Day viewing with audiences in the UK. We are thrilled that so many people tuned in to see another of Heidi Thomas's incredible scripts brought to life, and look forward to them all enjoying series seven in a few weeks' time."
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