More than 12 million viewers tuned in for the last ever episode of Gavin & Stacey as BBC One claimed all 10 of the top 10 shows in the overnight ratings for Christmas Day.
The 95-minute special, which creators Ruth Jones and James Corden have insisted will be the finale, averaged 12.32 million viewers between 9pm and 10.35pm, beating the overnight figure of 11.6m for the previous special in 2019.
The ratings for that episode eventually consolidated to more than 18m after 28 days, indicating that the final episode could eventually top 20m.
The second most-watched show on Christmas Day was Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which had an impressive audience of 9.38m between 6.10pm and 7.30pm.
Other programmes making the cut in the top 10 included an EastEnders double bill, Doctor Who, Call The Midwife and Strictly Come Dancing, while no programme from the ITV1 lineup exceeded 3m viewers - despite a special Coronation Street episode featuring the departure of Helen Worth as Gail Platt after 50 years.
"Christmas Day on the BBC brought people together in their millions and saw Gavin and Stacey triumph," said Charlotte Moore, the BBC's chief content officer.
"Ruth Jones and James Corden created a magical finale that fans will treasure forever. Their exquisitely written comedy creation is a show all about family, love and joy and it proved to be the unmissable TV event of the year.
"I'm very proud that the line-up across the day was a showcase for the very best in British storytelling, and caps off an exceptional 2024 for the BBC with increased market share against the competition both local and global."
Christmas Day overnight TV ratings - top 10:
1. Gavin & Stacey: The Finale (BBC One, 9pm-10.35pm) - 12.32 million
2. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (BBC One, 6.10pm-7.30pm) - 9.38 million
3. The King (BBC One, 3pm-3.10pm) - 5.04 million
4. Call The Midwife (BBC One, 8pm-9pm) - 4.42 million
5. EastEnders - Part Two (BBC One, 10.35pm-11.05pm) - 4.39 million
6. Doctor Who: Joy To The World (BBC One, 5.10pm-6.10pm) - 4.11 million
7. Strictly Come Dancing (BBC One, 3.55pm-5.10pm) - 4.05 million
8. EastEnders - Part One (BBC One, 7.30pm-8pm) - 3.98 million
9. Tiddler (BBC One, 2.35pm-3pm) - 3.23 million
10. The Weakest Link (BBC One, 3.10pm-3.55pm) - 3.05 million
> Gavin & Stacey's ending revealed in much-anticipated finale body check tags ::
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