That was more than three times the viewership of her most recent Christmas address, which drew about 7.1 million.

She thanked frontline workers, called on the public to "remain united and resolute" and promised, "We will meet again".

The viewing figures make it the second most-watched television broadcast of 2020 so far, although it is not yet known how many watched online.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's statement announcing strict new measures to tackle coronavirus was watched by more than 27 million people.