Call the Midwife won the non-royal Christmas Day ratings battle, with its festive special episode being watched by an average of 5.4 million viewers. The period drama was the most watched programme on 25 December apart from the Queen’s Christmas broadcast, according to the BBC. Blankety Blank Christmas Special, Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Countdown, The Wheel and Coronation Street were also among the most popular programmes, according to average viewing figures. Kate Phillips, the acting controller of BBC One, said: “BBC One had the most popular show on Christmas Day as audiences escaped to Poplar for the Call the Midwife special. “I’m really proud of the range and quality of programmes we’ve shown across this special day. BBC One entertained the nation and provided something for everyone to enjoy after a particularly difficult year.” An average audience of 6.3 million watched the Queen’s Christmas broadcast on BBC One. The monarch praised the “indomitable spirit” of those who had risen “magnificently” to the challenges of the pandemic. Blankety Blank Christmas Special was watched by 5.3 million people, and Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Countdown was watched by 4.9 million viewers. The celebrity dancing programme featured a tribute to the late TV presenter Caroline Flack, who previously won the competition. The BBC One gameshow The Wheel, hosted by Michael McIntyre, was watched by an average of 4.7 million. The ITV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale were watched by 4.5 million and 3.6 million respectively. The Christmas special of Mrs Brown’s Boys attracted 3.8 million viewers, while EastEnders was watched by 3.5 million. The figures were supplied to the BBC by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (Barb).