16million watch Christmas special

Only Fools And Horses was again the most popular Christmas Day TV programme.

According to unofficial overnight figures, 16.3million people tuned in to the latest antics of Del and Rodney Trotter - an impressive 68 per cent of viewers.

However, the figure is four million down on last year's comedback special.

Otherwise, soaps dominated the figures, with Coronation Street, Emmerdale and two editions of EastEnders in the top ten.

The next most popular comedy was the French and Saunders Christmas special, seen by 8.7million on BBC1 and the ninth most popular show.

At number ten was the Robert Lindsay sitcom My Family, with ratings og eight million.

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."

Published: 26 Dec 2002