More than 13 million Coronation Street viewers tuned in for last night's Tracy Barlow verdict.

Tracy was sentenced to life behind bars after a jury found her guilty of murder.

The audience for the climactic second episode of the ITV1 soap peaked at 13.1 million as the verdict was announced - a 54% share of the viewing public.

The first episode at 7.30pm had a peak audience of 12.8 million, according to unofficial overnight figures.

"We're absolutely thrilled with the ratings," a Coronation Street spokeswoman said.

"The audience were kept on tenterhooks and tuned in to see Tracy finally get her comeuppance."

Soap bosses had recorded two different endings to keep fans guessing.

The ratings were higher than the episode in which Tracy killed boyfriend Charlie Stubbs, which pulled in an audience of 12 million.

Last night a judge ordered Tracy to serve at least 15 years in prison for bludgeoning Charlie to death with an ornament.

Viewers will see Tracy, played by Kate Ford, for the last time in Sunday's episode.

She turns her back on her family when they refuse to fund her appeal.

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