Yahoo NewsThe 10 most searched for TV shows of 2020
- 1/10
10. Neighbours
Australian soap Neighbours celebrated 35 years on air this year with the occasion marked in a special anniversary week in March. Unlike UK soaps, the coronavirus has not come into its storylines. (Photo by Fairfax Media via Getty Images) - 2/10
9. Des
David Tennant's gripping performance as serial killer Dennis Nilsen in the three-part ITV series Des was a big talking point when it aired in September. It even broke a ratings record for ITV at the time as the broadcaster's biggest drama launch of the year. (ITV) - 3/10
8. The Masked Singer
The Masked Singer made it to the UK this year in a series that was won by Girls Aloud's Nicola Roberts. Based off a South Korean format, the thrilling yet bizarre programme proved to be a ratings hit with a second season featuring a brand new cast of colourful characters launching Boxing Day 2020. (ITV) 
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- 4/10
7. Killing Eve
Jodie Comer's Villanelle returned for a third season of Killing Eve in 2020 as the cat and mouse game between her and Sandra Oh's Eve got more complicated. The series has already been renewed for a fourth outing but filming has been delayed because of the pandemic. (Sid Gentle/BBC) - 5/10
6. Love Island
Love Island aired its first ever winter series in 2020, with Lewis Capaldi's ex Paige Turley winning the contest with Finn Tapp. Meanwhile, the usual summer instalment was cancelled due to the coronavirus. Host Caroline Flack, who had presented every season prior to the winter edition, sadly took her own life in February. (ITV) - 6/10
5. This Morning
Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby and co. were kept on air this year with This Morning airing weekdays as usual after ITV introduced new filming protocols as a result of the coronavirus. February saw Schofield publicly come out as gay as he gave an emotional interview with Willoughby on the programme. Meanwhile, show favourite Alison Hammond was also given a promotion for 2021. (ITV) Yahoo News is better in the app
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- 7/10
4. Strictly Come Dancing
Thankfully, Strictly was able to return to our screens this year after strict social distancing rules were put in place. Nicola Adams and Katya Jones made history by being the first same-sex partnering on the show, although they had to leave the contest when Jones tested positive for COVID. Winner Bill Bailey made history too as the show's oldest ever winner. (BBC/Guy Levy) - 8/10
3. EastEnders
EastEnders found itself off air for a spell thanks to the coronavirus, but has managed to squeeze in a lot of drama as per. Earlier on in the year, the residents of Albert Square were in a cataclysmic boat tragedy while recent events have seen the show's longest-running character Ian Beale almost killed off in a whodunit plot. (BBC/Kieron McCarron/Matt Burle) - 9/10
2. Emmerdale
ITV's Emmerdale had to take a break from filming due to the pandemic but got back to shooting in May. In the final stretch of the year there was debate around the soap due a controversial storyline about abortion and disability, as character Laurel wished to terminate her pregnancy after discovering her unborn baby had Down's Syndrome. The show and its stars have defended it against backlash. (ITV) Yahoo News is better in the app
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- 10/10
1. Coronation Street
The world's longest-running soap celebrated a huge milestone this year as Coronation Street marked 60 years on air. It also had one of the biggest soap storylines of the year as villain Geoff Metcalfe finally got his comeuppance on the anniversary week after emotionally abusing wife Yasmeen for over a year. (Danielle Baguley/ITV)
It’s been an interesting year for TV thanks to all the disruptions caused by the pandemic but for the most part our television staples have still been able to air.
Drawing from the millions of searches on Yahoo UK, we’ve found the top 10 most searched for shows in 2020.
It’s clear that reality TV and soaps are still providing entertainment and comfort, as the results demonstrate their enduring popularity.
