Christmas Day television in the United Kingdom has always been a battleground for broadcasters, with millions of families settling in after lunch to watch their favorite programs. This past December 25, 2025, proved no different, with the BBC continuing its festive dominance—yet it was ITV1’s The 1% Club, hosted by Lee Mack, that managed to break through the BBC’s near-monopoly on the top ten most-watched shows, snagging a coveted spot on the list and drawing 2.7 million viewers for its special festive episode, according to overnight TV ratings reported by the Evening Standard.
As the nation tuned in, Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel led the ratings with 3.7 million viewers, followed closely by Call the Midwife with 3.4 million, Gladiators at 3.2 million, and Amandaland with 3 million. The enduring soap EastEnders drew over 2.8 million, and The Weakest Link was watched by 2.6 million. The BBC, with nine out of the ten most-watched shows, had much to celebrate. Kate Phillips, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, remarked, “We’re proud of the fact that people come together on the BBC at Christmas. Having nine out of the top ten shows on Christmas Day is a timely reminder that shared moments really do still matter even in a world of so much choice.”
Yet, amid this BBC sweep, the presence of The 1% Club on ITV1 was no small feat. The quiz show, known for its brain-teasing questions and hosted by the ever-affable Lee Mack, has been steadily building a loyal following. Its inclusion in the top ten most-watched Christmas Day programs—at ninth place—signals a growing appetite for its unique blend of humor and challenge, even during a season dominated by tradition and nostalgia.
But The 1% Club isn’t resting on its laurels. Looking ahead, ITV has announced a bold new direction for the show: a kids special, set to air in 2026. This upcoming edition will feature 100 children as contestants, injecting a fresh burst of energy and creativity into the established format. According to El Balad, this special aims to capture the imaginative spark of young participants as they navigate the show’s famously tricky questions, all in a bid to reach the elusive final 1% Club query.
Host Lee Mack, who has become synonymous with the show’s quick wit and playful banter, found himself especially taken with the children during the filming of the kids special. One moment, in particular, stood out: Mack’s attempt to engage the contestants by referencing the viral ‘6, 7’ meme—a phenomenon that has swept through Generation Alpha thanks to TikTok. The origins of this trend are as quirky as they are modern: a basketball player, standing at 6 foot 7, celebrated a scoring moment by looking directly into the camera and simply declaring, “6, 7.” The phrase exploded in popularity, with kids everywhere mimicking the gesture and chant. It didn’t take long for ‘6, 7’ to be recognized as Dictionary.com’s word of the year for 2025, a testament to its cultural reach and the sometimes ambiguous nature of viral trends.
During the special’s filming, Mack tried to seize the children’s attention by repeating “6, 7”—and was met with an enthusiastic chorus of hand movements and chants, much to the amusement of everyone present. This playful exchange, as described by El Balad, perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the show’s new direction: a celebration of youthful energy, humor, and the ever-shifting landscape of internet culture.
For fans of The 1% Club, this kids edition represents more than just a novelty. It’s a recognition of how quiz shows, once the domain of adults and traditional knowledge, can evolve to reflect the interests and influences of a new generation. The decision to feature children as contestants not only promises a different kind of challenge—after all, who knows what trivia lurks in the minds of today’s youngsters?—but also opens the door to moments of genuine surprise and delight. If the viral ‘6, 7’ moment is anything to go by, viewers can expect a show that’s as much about fun and spontaneity as it is about smarts.
It’s worth noting that the Christmas Day ratings, while impressive, only capture part of the story. As the Evening Standard points out, these are overnight figures and do not include those who watched later on catch-up. In an age where streaming and on-demand viewing have fundamentally changed how audiences consume television, the fact that so many people still gather at set times to watch live broadcasts is remarkable. Shared moments, as Kate Phillips observed, remain a powerful draw—even as the definition of “togetherness” continues to evolve.
King Charles III, in his Christmas Day broadcast, echoed similar themes of connection and reflection. Urging viewers to “quieten our minds” and reconnect with family, friends, and neighbors, he spoke of the enduring importance of forgiveness, respect, and resilience. His message, referencing the Christian stories of “peace and reconciliation,” felt especially resonant in a year where so much of the nation’s togetherness played out through shared television experiences. The king’s call to slow down and appreciate the people around us found an unlikely parallel in the country’s collective pause to watch their favorite Christmas specials.
Looking to the future, ITV’s gamble on a kids version of The 1% Club could pay off handsomely. If the show manages to capture even a fraction of the viral energy that powered the ‘6, 7’ meme, it could become a new holiday staple—one that bridges generations and brings families together in front of the screen. After all, there’s something universally appealing about seeing children rise to a challenge, especially when they do so with humor, confidence, and the occasional burst of meme-fueled mischief.
For now, The 1% Club stands as a rare non-BBC success story in the Christmas ratings war, and its willingness to experiment with format and audience signals a healthy future for British television. Whether you’re a die-hard quiz fan, a parent looking for family-friendly entertainment, or just someone who appreciates a good viral trend, the next chapter of The 1% Club promises to be one worth watching.
As the landscape of holiday television continues to shift, one thing is clear: the shows that capture our collective imagination—whether through tradition, innovation, or a perfectly timed meme—are the ones that bring us together, year after year.
