Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special wins Christmas Day ratings in 2021

BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing was the most watched show on Christmas Day with 5.8 million viewers (excluding The Queen’s Christmas broadcast).

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.

— Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer

The BBC’s Christmas Day line-up proved a winning formula once again,

taking the top seven spots with brand new specials of viewers favourite shows.

BBC secured eight out of the top ten programmes as audiences turned to the BBC across the day, showcasing an outstanding range of new programmes across drama, comedy and entertainment.

Charlotte Moore, BBC’s Chief Content Officer says: “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.”

Rank

Programme

Channel

Millions

1

The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast

BBC One

7.4

2

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

BBC One

5.8

3

Call the Midwife

BBC One

4.7

4

Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Wheel

BBC One

4.6

5

Blankety Blank Christmas Special

BBC One

4.2

6

Mary Poppins Returns

BBC One

3.7

7

Superworm

BBC One

3.34

8

Coronation Street

ITV

3.25

9

Emmerdale

ITV

3

10

EastEnders

BBC One

2.9