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The most searched for TV shows of 2022

Emmerdale, Strictly and Coronation Street were some of the most searched TV shows in 2022. (ITV/BBC/ITV)
Emmerdale, Strictly and Coronation Street were some of the most searched TV shows in 2022. (ITV/BBC/ITV)

Whether you love soaps, drama or reality TV, there's been plenty to talk about this year.

Viewers have been searching for their favourite shows and stand-out TV moments, from who was voted out of Strictly to how the Emmerdale storm wreaked havoc and fan theories on Stranger Things.

Read more: The most searched for celebrities of 2022

Collated from millions of searches on Yahoo, these were the TV shows you were searching for the most over the past 12 months.

10. Peaky Blinders

Programme Name: Peaky Blinders VI - TX: n/a - Episode: Long Lead (No. n/a) - Picture Shows:  Tommy Shelby (CILLIAN MURPHY) - (C) Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd. - Photographer: Robert Viglasky
Peaky Blinders (BBC)

The sixth and final season of Steven Knight's period drama was not only emotional because it was the final instalment from the Shelbys - it also featured the last scenes from the late Helen McCrory as Aunt Polly, whose death in 2021 shocked fans.

Peaky Blinders paid emotional tribute to McCrory as her character got a poignant funeral scene, and the hit series went on to conclude with plenty of twists and turns for its cast.

9. Dancing On Ice

This image and the information contained herein is strictly embargoed until 21.00 Thursday 24th March 2022

From Lifted Entertainment

Dancing on Ice: SR14 on ITV and ITV Hub

Pictured: The Finalists: Vanessa Bauer and Brendan Cole, Kimberly Wyatt and Mark Hanretty and Karina Manta and Regan Gascoigne.

This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk.  This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms

For further information please contact:
james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052
Dancing On Ice (ITV)

While the ITV skating contest managed to avoid any more COVID or injury-related disasters this year, there was still plenty to talk about as the 2022 series featured so many talented performers.

Brendan Cole and Kimberly Wyatt wowed the crowds, but it was Regan Gascoigne who eventually won the series.

People were searching for Dancing On Ice again at the end of the year as the cast for the 2023 series was announced.

8. Doctor Who

Doctor Who - The Power of the Doctor,23-10-2022,The Power Of The Doctor,The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa), ,BBC Studios,Screen Grab
Doctor Who (BBC)

Doctor Who always generates plenty of interest, but there was more to talk about than usual this year with Jodie Whittaker's final episodes as the Time Lord and a new star set to be announced.

Fans were excited to hear that Ncuti Gatwa would be taking over the role - but in a shock twist, Whittaker's Doctor regenerated back into Number 10 played by David Tennant who will return in 2023 alongside Catherine Tate as his companion before Gatwa takes over.

Coronation Street's Millie Gibson was also named as the new companion.

Read more: The most searched for actors of 2022

7. Newsround

Newsround's stars from over the decades are celebrating its 50th anniversary. (BBC)
Newsround (BBC)

It's been a popular show for decades and in 2022, the children's news programme celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Some of the show's former stars were brought back together for a commemorative photo, including John Craven, Julie Etchingham, Lizo Mzimba, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Ore Oduba and Ellie Crisell.

6. Stranger Things

Stranger Things (Netflix)
Stranger Things (Netflix)

Netflix's fantasy series about a group of childhood friends battling a sinister underworld that terrorises their town returned for its scariest season yet.

Viewers were thrilled to see the beloved cast back together, struggling against villain Vecna who they found could be warded off by playing a favourite song.

It lead to a huge resurgence in popularity for Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill, as a whole new generation discovered the music icon.

Read more: Christmas 2022 TV highlights day by day

5. Love Island

Ekin-Su and Davide  (ITV)
Love Island (ITV)

Much excitement was in the air this summer as Love Island was finally able to make a return to the villa, bringing with it a huge slice of drama and controversy.

Some of the male contestants were accused of emotional abuse, even forcing Women's Aid to make a statement condemning the return of Adam Collard, while the cast also welcomed Michael Owen's daughter Gemma and Ronan Keating's son Jack.

But in the end, love won the day with the series' most popular champions ever, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti.

4. EastEnders

EastEnders,12-12-2022,6606,Sonia Fowler (NATALIE CASSIDY);Dotty Cotton (MILLIE ZERO),***EMBARGOED TILL SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2022***, BBC, Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
EastEnders (BBC)

Soaps generally have more going on in a month than most of us do in a year, so it's no surprise that 2022 has been a busy one on Albert Square.

Big moments included the soap moving to a new set, the now King and Queen Consort making a cameo for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in the summer, and the return of many old faces for Dot Cotton's funeral in December following actor June Brown's death earlier in the year.

Read more: The stars we lost in 2022

3. Coronation Street

FROM ITV

STRICT EMBARGO - No Use Before Saturday 10th December 2022

Coronation Street - Ep 1084243

Tuesday 3rd January 2023

Wednesday 4th January 2023

Spider Nugent [MARTIN HANCOCK] comes face to face with Griff [MICHAEL CONDRON] who knocks him out cold with a crowbar.

Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com

Photographer - Danielle Baguley

This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on  www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
Coronation Street (ITV)

Over in the ITV world of soaps, things have been just as dramatic, with one of the year's biggest storylines including an extremism grooming plot that made for uncomfortable viewing as well as a painful custody battle over baby Alfie.

However, things are set to end on a lighter note as Corrie has promised a heartwarming and funny Christmas episode.

2. Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing 2022,23-09-2022,Generics,James Bye; Kym Marsh, Hamza Yassin; Tyler West; Tony Adams; Kaye Adams; Jayde Adams; Helen Skelton; Fleur East; Richie Anderson; Molly Rainford; Matt Goss; Ellie Simmonds; Will Mellor; Ellie Taylor,BBC,Ray Burmiston
Strictly Come Dancing (BBC)

Strictly's class of '22 has been a strong one - finalists Hamza Yassin, Helen Skelton, Molly Rainford and Fleur East were all good enough to have won the show hands down.

From the relatively unknown Yassin becoming the viewers' favourite to Skelton finding her confidence again after a tough year, fans have loved seeing how the contestants have developed in the run up to the first full final in years.

1. Emmerdale

FROM ITV

STRICT EMBARGO - No Use Before Sunday 16th October 2022

Emmerdale - Ep 9464.95

Sunday 16th October 2022

Kim Tate [CLAIRE KING] finds Harriet Finch [KATHERINE DOW-BLYTON] pinned under the quad bike. As thunder rolls overhead, Kim starts to drag Harriet out from underneath. Harriet pleads with Kim to stay with her until she’s passed. 

Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com

Photographer - Mark Bruce

This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on  www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
Emmerdale (ITV)

Top of the TV searches for 2022 and out in front of its soap rivals was Emmerdale, which has seen death, destruction and disaster hit the village in its 50th anniversary year.

Emmerdale's biggest storyline of the year was a freak storm that ruined a wedding, killed off a number of characters and caused a much-mocked cow stampede.

The soap cleaned up at various awards shows and even got a special birthday message from the King.