BBC One's primetime VE Day party was a ratings hit on Sunday night, according to early figures.

An average of 5.59 million viewers - a 23.5% share of the available audience - turned out for V45: A Party to Remember Live from Trafalgar Square, which went out between 8pm and 9.30pm.

ITV1's drama lineup still proved unbeatable, however, with a top audience of 9.92 million (43.8%) for Coronation Street at 7.30pm. Heartbeat had 8.18 million (34.5%) for second, followed by Emmerdale with 7.01 million (34.1%) and William and Mary with 5.92 million (24.9%).

Later in the evening, a Vicar of Dibley repeat still managed to pack a punch with an average of 5.2 million (22.1%).

ITV1's VE Day-themed show Victory in Europe in Colour proved less popular than its BBC counterpart with just 3.53 million (19.1%).

Elsewhere, Channel 4's repeat of The 100 Greatest Number Ones held a respectable 2.22 million (11.8%) average between 8pm and midnight.

The clash between Liverpool and Arsenal helped Sky Sports 1 top the multichannel ratings chart with an average of 1.18 million (13.2%) between 3.30pm and 6.30pm.

As usual, Sky One had a strong Sunday night, beginning with 1.15 million (9.3%) for a new Simpsons at 6.30pm. Malcolm in the Middle held onto 729,000 (5.2%) at 7pm, before figures dropped to 458,000 (3%) for Father of the Pride. Dream Team drew 455,000 (2.9%) in the 8pm hour, then 24 had 579,000 (3.6%) at 9pm. Nip/Tuck rounded off the night with 405,000 (3.2%).

On LivingTV, meanwhile, Most Haunted Live held an impressive 441,000 (3.6%) between 9pm and midnight.

Ratings data supplied by ViewingFigures.com