Seven of the top 10 Christmas Day television shows were screened on BBC One, according to figures released on Boxing Day.

The BBC also had the lion's share of viewing of an eighth, with 6.5 million choosing to watch the Queen's Speech on BBC One instead of ITV1.

The most popular Christmas show was the final Only Fools And Horses, which had 16.3 million viewers.

The 90-minute special, screened at 2140 GMT, pulled in 68% of viewers.

But it still had four million fewer than the episode screened last Christmas, which was the first new episode for five years and shown in an earlier time slot.

TOP SHOWS

Only Fools And Horses - 16.3 million - BBC One EastEnders (2105 GMT) - 16 million - BBC One Coronation Street - 13.3 million - ITV1 EastEnders (1815 GMT) - 12.4 million - BBC One News (1800 GMT) - 10.8 million - BBC One Emmerdale - 10.3 million - ITV1 Queen's Speech - 9.3 million (6.5 million - BBC One, 2.8 million - ITV1) Chicken Run - 9.1 million - BBC One French And Saunders - 8.7 million - BBC One My Family - eight million - BBC One

Figures will rise when video recordings are taken into account.

BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey said: "It is no surprise Fools And Horses remains the UK's most popular Christmas treat.

"The script and performances were terrific. Del Boy and Rodney are national treasures."

EastEnders was the second biggest show of the day, according to unofficial overnight figures, with 16 million tuning in to the later edition to see Jamie Mitchell's death.

Coronation Street, 2000's top Christmas show, was in third place, with fellow ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale in sixth position.

An ITV spokesman said: "ITV's soaps were on top form, with Emmerdale and Coronation Street attracting bigger audiences than last year.

"There is much more for viewers to look forward to next year."

The Queen's Speech had the seventh biggest ratings.

Millions watched Jamie Mitchell die in EastEnders

Reversing the trend of falling viewing figures, 9.3 million watched - 600,000 more than in 2001.

Of those watching the speech, the first to have been given a trailer, 6.5 million were watching on BBC One, - 700,000 more than in 2001.

BBC One attracted 44.6% of peak-time viewers - from 1800 GMT to 2230 GMT - down 6% on 2001. ITV1 pulled in 32.7%.

Across the whole day, BBC One attracted 38.8% against ITV1's 24.2%.

Ms Heggessey said she was thrilled.

"But we do not measure our success in ratings alone," she added.

"It is about offering the best family Christmas in a rich and varied schedule with great British comedians and entertainers that viewers of all ages can enjoy together."