'Emmerdale' pips 'EastEnders' on Thursday night

Published Jul 20 2012, 10:28 BST  |  By Paul Millar

Emmerdale and EastEnders were neck-and-neck in the soap ratings last night (July 19), according to the latest overnight data.

Thursday's double bill culminated with an audience of 6.68m (32%) for Laurel and Marlon's decision to reunite, while 6.14m (32.2%) watched the build-up at 7pm.

The 8pm episode pipped EastEnders in head-to-head first showings after 6.48m (32%) watched Kat meet her secret Albert Square lover.

However, EastEnders had a higher peak of around 7.5m and commanded 628k (3.2%) on BBC Three at 10pm, while Emmerdale's later episode had 192k (0.9%) on ITV1 +1

Yesterday represents the first time Emmerdale's average overnight audience has surpassed that of EastEnders since May 10 during the week 'Enders clashed with ITV's juggernaut talent show Britain's Got Talent.

Coronation Street led the pack with 7.47m (34.2%) at 8.30pm (+1: 286k/1.3%) for Ryan's sinister threat to Underworld.

Despite Silas's dramatic return to the village, Hollyoaks slipped to 848k (4.8%) at 6.30pm, after which E4's first look grabbed a decent 591k (3.1%) at 7pm (+1: 105k/0.5%) - though down on Wednesday's (July 18) rating.

Neighbours mustered 675k (8.8%) at 1.45pm and 972k (6.9%) at 5.30pm, while Home and Away took 710k (4.4%) at 6pm and 469k (2.7%) for 5*'s first look half an hour later.

Meanwhile, Doctors drew a miserable 1.14m (14.8%) for its lunchtime showing. The medical serial has now shed 500k in four days.

BARB ratings data supplied by Attentional