EastEnders and Downton Abbey to clash on Christmas Day

Maggie SmithAdvance television schedules for Christmas Day reveal that EastEnders and Downton Abbey will clash.

ITV and the BBC have released their schedules for Christmas Day and barring any last minute changes the big clash will be between EastEnders and period drama Downton Abbey. The festive edition of EastEnders is traditionally a big ratings winner for BBC One with over 10 million viewers usually tune in to watch the latest miserable Christmas in Walford. However, this year its ratings dominance will be challenged by period drama Downton Abbey which returns for a festive special.

The two shows will go up against each other at 9pm on Christmas Day and ITV will be hoping Downton Abbey will give it the edge over BBC One. ITV has, for the past few years, lost out in the ratings battle to BBC One’s line-up but will Downton Abbey turn around its fortunes? While the Julian Fellowes penned drama routinely pulled in 9 million viewers for its second season will it be able to top EastEnders? The second season met with mixed reviews and some criticism but never-the-less ratings held up.

The Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing, in which celebrities such as Charlie Brooks and Debra Stephenson will take part, will clash with ITV soap Coronation Street at 8pm. The two shows went head-to-head last year with the BBC dancing competition winning the ratings battle. Elsewhere on Christmas Day comedy Absolutely Fabulous will return at 10pm for the first of three new episodes penned by Jennifer Saunders.

You can watch the BBC One trailer for Christmas here >>