The episode focused on the affair between Stacey and Max

BBC One had six programmes in the top 10, while ITV1 had four according to audience research body Barb.

The Doctor Who Christmas special was second, with 13.31 million viewers. ITV1's most watched item was the Rugby World Cup final, with 13.13 million.

But the combined share of TV viewers at peaktime for BBC One and ITV1 dropped below 50% for the first time last year.

TOP-RATED TV SHOWS 2007 - EastEnders, BBC One - 14.38m 2006 - Coronation Street, ITV1, 12.60m 2005 - Coronation Street, ITV1, 14.36m 2004 - Coronation Street, ITV1, 16.33m 2003 - Coronation Street, ITV1, 19.43m Excludes sporting events. Source: Barb.

As digital TV became more popular, BBC One fell from 24.22% in 2006 to 23.43% in prime time last year, while ITV1 dropped from 26.82% to 25.32%

In the top 100 programmes from 2007, only two were from Channel 4 - Big Brother and its celebrity version.

Also featured in the top 10 was an episode of Coronation Street, The Vicar of Dibley, The X Factor, Concert for Diana, Strictly Come Dancing, Britain's Got Talent and Match of the Day.