‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ leads TV ratings in UK

Christmas Day TV produced an unlikely ratings battle between Mrs Brown’s Boys and Mrs Windsor’s message, with millions of viewers tuning into both.

The hit BBC comedy, the creation of Irish actor Brendan O’Carroll, pulled in an average audience of 7.6m to BBC One.

An audience of 5.7m tuned in to see Queen Elizabeth’s message on the BBC, with another 2.1m watching on ITV — giving a combined figure of 7.8m.

The BBC dominated the day, with big hitters including EastEnders with 7.55m tuning in to seethe day unfold with its customary drama in Albert Square while about 7m watched Strictly Come Dancing.

There was good news for Miranda Hart with her sitcom pulling in 6.7m while Call The Midwife, which she also stars in, did even better with an audience of 6.8m.

ITV’s best-performing show was Coronation Street, which attracted an audience of 6.6m.

The Doctor Who Christmas special was watched by 6.3m while 5.8m tuned in to Downton Abbey.

It is the second year running that Mrs Brown’s Boys has pulled in the single biggest audience, with bookmakers offering even money it will repeat the feat next year.

William Hill’s Rupert Adams said: “We have once again underestimated the popularity of Mrs Brown’s Boys — it must be a guilty pleasure as nobody in our office admits to watching it.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Brown’s Boys star Danny O’Carroll has made Christmas for two Irish charities — after handing over cheques worth more than €21,000.

The money was raised at his incredible celebrity bash at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny, Co Donegal earlier this month.

Danny handed over the proceeds of the night to the Children’s Unit at Letterkenny General Hospital where the €10,195 will help make the unit better.

And he handed over another €10,195 to the autism unit at Lurgybrack National School.

Stars from sport and screen had attended the charity dinner — serving food to delighted fans.