10.8 million watch Doctor Who: The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe

BARB have released the consolidated viewing figures for this year's Doctor Who Christmas Special - The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe.

Official figures show that a colossal 10.8 million viewers tuned into Doctor Who, which was broadcast on BBC One on Christmas Day.

The initial figures indicated that the episode was watched by 8.9 million viewers.

Unlike the 'overnight' data, the official figures measure the exact timeslot and take into account viewers who record the episode and watch it within seven days of transmission. The official figures do not, however, include viewers who have watched the story online via the BBC iPlayer.

Opposite Doctor Who in ITV1, the Vernon Kay-fronted All Star Family Fortunes was seen by a consolidated audience of 6.63 million.

Doctor Who was the third-most watched programme of Christmas Day and the week. ITV1's Downton Abbey was watched by 11.60 million while BBC One's EastEnders attracted 11.33 million.

The figures were posted on Twitter by Doctor Who Magazine editor Tom Spilsbury.