This represents a staggering decline from 2024, when the much-anticipated Gavin and Stacey finale drew 12.3 million viewers overnight, becoming the largest Christmas Day audience since 2008.

The beloved sitcom’s conclusion went on to exceed 20 million viewers within 28 days as audiences caught up via iPlayer.

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Last year’s Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl similarly captured 10 million viewers initially, later surpassing 20 million on catch-up services.

Traditional BBC favourites suffered considerable audience losses across the board this Christmas.

EastEnders witnessed a particularly sharp decline, with its first festive episode attracting just 2.8 million viewers and the second drawing 2.2 million, compared to 4 million and 4.4 million respectively in 2024.

The soap’s second episode failed to even to secure a place in the top ten most-watched programmes, a stark contrast to the days when Albert Square drama could command audiences of 30 million, as it did during the famous 1986 episode featuring Den serving Angie divorce papers.

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Call The Midwife also experienced a notable drop, falling from 4.4 million viewers last year to 3.4 million this Christmas.

The Weakest Link similarly declined, attracting 2.6 million compared to 3.05 million in 2024.

The Scarecrows’ Wedding, an animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s popular children’s picture book, secured second place in the ratings with 4.3 million viewers.

Remarkably, this figure still fell short of last year’s second EastEnders episode.

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The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, marking the final appearance of presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, peaked at 4.2 million according to ratings agency Barb.

Strictly proved to be the sole BBC programme registering increased viewership compared to 2024, rising from 4.05 million to 4.35 million.

The departure of the beloved hosting duo made the broadcast a significant occasion for devoted fans.

An Amandaland Christmas special reuniting Absolutely Fabulous stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley managed just 3.1 million viewers, barely scraping into what would have been last year’s top ten.

TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan characterised this year’s festive offerings as “underwhelming” when compared to the exceptional programming of 2024.

“Last year was truly something special. Gavin & Stacey: The Finale was the culmination of a near two-decade will-they, won’t-they love story, whilst a new Wallace & Gromit only comes out every few years,” he observed.

Mr Bryan noted that both programmes had generated significant discussion and transformed linear television into must-watch destination viewing once again.

“Given how both were much talked about and made linear television once again destination TV, you would have thought the BBC and other broadcasters would have tried to make other genuine event TV this year too. I guess not,” he added.

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Viewers on social media complained about a stale schedule filled with repeats and familiar programmes such as Mrs Brown’s Boys.

Despite the significant ratings decline, the BBC maintained its dominance of Christmas Day television, securing nine of the top ten most-watched programmes according to BARB figures.

Only ITV’s The 1% Club broke into the list, claiming ninth position with 2.7 million viewers.

The corporation also noted that its total viewing share exceeded that of the entire streaming market combined.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Chief Content Officer, said: “We’re proud of the fact that people come together on the BBC at Christmas.

“Having nine out of the top ten shows on Christmas Day is a timely reminder that shared moments really do still matter even in a world of so much choice.”

Ms Phillips highlighted forthcoming programming, promising an “explosive” start to 2026 with new series of The Traitors and The Night Manager.