THE BBC has claimed victory in the Christmas TV ratings war.

BBC One trounced its rivals with eight of the top nine programmes, its figures showed.

The top show with 13.9 million viewers was the second part of EastEnders as Albert Square learned of Stacey's affair with her father-in-law Max.

Dr Who - which starred Kylie Minogue - scored its highest ratings since its rebirth with 13.8 million viewers in second place. The first part of EastEnders came in third with 11.8 million watching.

The remake of To The Manor Born was fourth in the ratings list, equal with Shrek 2 and the Ten O'Clock News, all on BBC One. All three programmes were watched by around 10.1 million people.

The anticipated return of the 1980s sitcom, starring Peter Bowles and Penelope Keith, saw the pair rowing after celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

ITV scored only one of the top nine, according to Barb figures published by the BBC.

Coronation Street came in eighth with 9.6 million viewers, pipped by the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special which drew 9.9 million in the same slot.

The 10th most watched programme was the Queen's Christmas message, watched by 7.5 million viewers on both ITV1 and BBC One.

The figures do not include people who recorded the shows or reruns on other channels.

BBC One acting controller Roly Keating said: ''It's heartening to see that the great tradition of Christmas family viewing seems to be alive and well.

''We were delighted that audiences found so much to enjoy in our line-up of programmes on BBC One.

''From the compelling drama of EastEnders to a spectacular Doctor Who and the welcome return of To The Manor Born, this was a Christmas when some of the nation's favourite performers and writers did us all proud.'' The combined peak share of audience for BBC1 and BBC2 was 51.7 per cent this year, up from 44.4 per cent last year.

1. EastEnders part two (13.9m) 2. Dr Who (13.8m) 3. EastEnders part one (11.8m) 4. To The Manor Born (10.1m) 4. Shrek 2 (10.1m) 4.BBC News at 6pm (10.1m) 7. Strictly Come Dancing Special (9.9m) 8. Coronation Street (9.6m) 9. Finding Nemo (8.3m) 10. The Queen's Christmas Message (7.5m - BBC1 and ITV1) Source: BARB/THE BBC