'Enders tops Thursday ratings for eighth week

EastEnders topped the Thursday evening soaps ratings for the eighth consecutive week, according to overnight ratings.

The Walford soap's third episode of the week, which saw Max and Jean visit the mortuary to identify what they presumed to be Stacey's body, drew 8.98m (39.9%) from 8pm. BBC Three's repeat added a further 786k (4.1%) at 10pm.

Coronation Street's latest outing, which saw Norris catch Audrey and Lewis sharing a kiss, put in 8.34m (34.2%) at 8.30pm.

Both EastEnders and Corrie put in their best Thursday performances since March 4.

Meanwhile, Emmerdale's double bill - during which Aaron began to panic about his secret being revealed, before beating Paddy to a pulp - logged 7.46m (35.3%) and 7.92m (33.6%) at 7pm and 8pm. The episodes delivered the soap's best Thursday numbers since February 25.

BBC One's episode of Doctors, yesterday titled 'Risky Business', interested 1.78m (24.4%) from 1.45pm, before its five-minute 10th anniversary show Decade of Doctors had 1.69m (24.1%) at 2.15pm.

Five's Australian hour kicked off at 5.30pm with 1.54m (10%) tuning in for Neighbours, while 1.01m (5.6%) caught Home and Away half an hour later.

Five's first look at Marilyn's return to the Bay was seen by 523k (2.7%) and 184k (0.9%) watched Neighbours' 7pm repeat.

Hollyoaks' 6.30pm screening on Channel 4 managed 1.22m (6.2%) and 112k (0.5%) saw it on timeshift. E4's first look took 371k (1.8%) and its repeat on E4+1 added 111k (0.5%).

BARB ratings data supplied by Attentional