For a time, it was the focal point of a family Christmas: gathering around the television to watch the best new shows broadcasters could muster.

But must-watch Christmas television has been consigned to history, it appears, as figures reveal this year’s offerings won their lowest ratings on record.

Audiences for the UK's most-watched TV shows on Christmas Day have fallen to their lowest level, failing even to break the 10 million part once viewing on catch-up has been taken into account.