A children’s drama and a programme about tenancy cheats are among BBC shows that viewers have clicked the love button for.

The broadcaster put a heart icon on all browser versions of iPlayer and all TV and Radio programme pages in March 2015, which allowed the audience to show their love at the touch of a button.

Alongside favourites like EastEnders, The Great British Bake Off and Strictly Come Dancing, the second most loved programme on the iPlayer during the last year was CBBC show The Next Step.

Kellie Bright and Danny Dyer in EastEnders
Kellie Bright and Danny Dyer in EastEnders (BBC)

It charts the lives of a group of young dancers as they make their way through dance school.

Daytime series Council House Crackdown – which follows housing inspectors who track down tenancy cheats, reclaim homes and give them to people in need – also made the top 12.

Dramas Poldark and War And Peace make the list alongside hit shows Sherlock and Doctor Who.

Lord Sugar in The Apprentice
Lord Sugar in The Apprentice (Jim Marks/BBC)

Long-running drama Casualty, Match Of The Day and The Apprentice are also among the most loved.

Audience members who are signed in to the iPlayer and “love” a programme by clicking on the heart button receive personalised recommendations of other shows they might enjoy based on their choices.

Gary Lineker and Match Of The Day pundits
Gary Lineker and Match Of The Day pundits Alan Shearer and Robbie Savage (BBC)

Jane Lingham, BBC director of brand strategy, said: “The more we find out about what audiences love the more we can recommend new programmes that they will enjoy.”

The BBC iPlayer love list

1. EastEnders
2. The Next Step
3. Match Of The Day

4. Doctor Who
5. Strictly Come Dancing
6. Casualty

7. The Great British Bake Off
8. The Apprentice
9. Poldark

10. Sherlock
11. Council House Crackdown
12. War And Peace