A total of 40.8 million people were online in the UK over the month of December, according to data released by online measurement company Nielsen.

The Silent Witness (BBC One, 9pm) gang snapped on their latex gloves, perfected the super serious expression that comes with the job and headed off for one last case.

Last night mercifully saw Channel 5’s carnival of desperation and shamelessness finally wrap up, five days over schedule and with a newly crowned winner.

Tuesday night saw Emmerdale (ITV, 7pm) restart its campaign for ratings glory, after ending 2013’s race as the nation’s third favourite soap, despite having a stellar year.

With the hoo-ha all but calmed down, last night saw residents help each other out of dire personal situations while waxing lyrical about the real benefits of the street – the lovely neighbourly vibe.

A whopping 9.3 million viewers caught up with the bout of nostalgic pandering about the good old days, resulting in the weekend’s biggest audience and a 34% share.

Considering the giant ball of emotional trauma that was Coronation Street this week, the residents of Walford’s problems were positively jovial in comparison.

Wednesday evening saw the TV schedule inundated with a heavy slice of prime time glitter and pomp as the self-congratulatory festival of backslapping that is The National Television Awards 2014 (ITV, 7:30pm) took place.

The search for that ultimate palate-pleasing taste netted the smallest audience out of all the main broadcasters in the 9pm time slot.

Monday night saw ardent and bereaved soap fans come together on ITV as a vigil was held for one of soap land’s most enduringly popular characters.