The Vicar brings good cheer for BBC

Dawn French's 'The Vicar of Dibley' helped BBC1 to its customary win in the Christmas ratings war. The Vicar's Christmas Day outing (one of four episodes screened throughout the festive season) clocked up an audience of 14.17 million, second only to 'EastEnders'. Among those 'Dibley' knocked into a cocked hat were 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' and 'A Touch of Frost' (both ITV), according to BARB figures.

BBC1, and in fact BBC television in general, is where UK audiences invariably tune in at Christmas time although this year the BBC's win was less pronounced.