The Queen’s speech tops Christmas Day TV ratings

Speech offered words of hope as regions around the UK are placed in Tier 4 lockdown

The Queen’s traditional speech attracted the biggest TV audience of Christmas Day, as she told the British public they are “not alone”.

As around 40 per cent of the UK goes into Tier 4 of lockdown measures amid the coronavirus pandemic, the monarch said she believed it had brought everyone closer, despite hardships.

“Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer,” she said.

“In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit.”

She added: “Even on the darkest nights, there is hope in the new dawn.”

The speech topped the Christmas Day ratings, with more than 8.14 million people tuning in to watch across BBC One, ITV and Sky News, according to ratings body Barb.

The BBC’s series Call the Midwife came second in the ratings battle, with 5.4 million viewers.

This was followed by three more BBC shows: Bradley Walsh’s Blankety Blank (5.2 million), Strictly Come Dancing (4.86 million), and Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel (4.6 million).  

However, the BBC’s soap EastEnders struggled in ninth place, marking a lower spot than its previous festive episodes.

The much-derided Mrs Brown’s Boys managed an audience of 3.8 million. Read The Independent’s review here.