'Emmerdale' beats 'Enders in final clash

Emmerdale won the final ratings battle against EastEnders last night, just a week before ITV's new Thursday drama schedule begins.

The rural soap's last official one-hour episode, which featured Viv's return to the Dales, was seen by 5.87m (31.1%) at 7pm.

Meanwhile, EastEnders' outing, during which Phil walked in on Peggy kissing her estranged husband Archie, averaged 5.23m (26.6%) from 7.30pm.

During the period in which the two programmes went head to head, Emmerdale's audience dipped slightly to 5.64m (28.7%) but still triumphed in the clash slot.

However, BBC Three's repeat screening of EastEnders added a further 1.23m (6.9%) at 10pm and was the most-watched multichannel programme of the day.

From next week, ITV's revamped schedule will eradicate regular Tuesday or Thursday night clashes between the rival soaps.

BBC One's episode of Doctors, titled 'Beneath The Surface', pulled in 1.57m (22.7%) at 1.45pm.

Rebecca and Paul's session in the bushes during yesterday's instalment of Neighbours was witnessed by 1.4m (11.2%) at 5.30pm. Fiver's repeat at 7pm added 236k (1.5%).

Channel 4's transmission of Hollyoaks, which saw Ste discover the truth about Natty, interested 1.3m (7.7%) at 6.30pm. E4's first look drew 498k (3.1%) at 7pm, before E4+1's repeat added 135k (0.7%).

Home and Away put in 1.08m (7%) for its 6.30pm offering, while 567k (3.8%) tuned in for Fiver's first look 30 minutes later.

BARB ratings data supplied by Attentional