British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide

Television

Top 50 British TV sitcoms

This page lists the top 50 British sitcoms, determined by a 2004 BBC television poll.

Only Fools And Horses. Image shows from L to R: Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), Del (David Jason), Grandad (Lennard Pearce). Copyright: BBC

1. Only Fools And Horses

Sitcom about two market traders, Del Boy and his brother Rodney.

Blackadder. Mr. Edmund Blackadder, Esquire (Rowan Atkinson)

2. Blackadder

The Blackadder dynasty has run through English history since time immemorial, seemingly always hampered by a Baldrick, and often a Percy and Melchett.

The Vicar Of Dibley. Geraldine Grainger (Dawn French). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

3. The Vicar Of Dibley

Comedy about a small, backward rural village and its female vicar, Geraldine Grainger.

Dad's Army. Image shows from L to R: Private Godfrey (Arnold Ridley), Lance Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn), Private Walker (James Beck), Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), Private Frazer (John Laurie), Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier), Private Pike (Ian Lavender)

4. Dad's Army

Beloved sitcom about the struggles of a Home Guard platoon during World War II who are fighting incompetence, age and pomposity more than Nazis.

Fawlty Towers. Image shows from L to R: Manuel (Andrew Sachs), Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), Sybil Fawlty (Prunella Scales), Polly (Connie Booth). Copyright: BBC

5. Fawlty Towers

Comedy about a hotel and its owner, a man of infinite rudeness with a rabid dislike of almost all guests.

Yes Minister. Image shows from L to R: James Hacker (Paul Eddington), Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne), Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). Copyright: BBC

6. Yes Minister

Political satire in which well-meaning MP Jim Hacker has a fast introduction to the world of Whitehall and must then struggle against the Civil Service.

Porridge. Image shows from L to R: Mr. Mackay (Fulton Mackay), Fletcher (Ronnie Barker), Godber (Richard Beckinsale). Copyright: BBC

7. Porridge

Ronnie Barker stars as Norman Stanley Fletcher, trying to keep his nose clean and guiding his young 'roomie' Godber, whilst residing in HMP Slade.

Open All Hours. Image shows from L to R: Nurse Gladys Emmanuel (Lynda Baron), Granville (David Jason), Albert Arkwright (Ronnie Barker). Copyright: BBC

8. Open All Hours

Mean-yet-loveable northern shopkeeper Arkwright is allergic to spending money - much to the trouble of his put-upon nephew and sole employee Granville.

The Good Life. Image shows from L to R: Margo Leadbetter (Penelope Keith), Tom Good (Richard Briers), Jerry Leadbetter (Paul Eddington), Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal). Copyright: BBC

9. The Good Life

After Tom Good becomes disillusioned with his life, he packs in his job and he and his wife attempt to live a completely self-sufficient life in suburbia.

One Foot In The Grave. Image shows from L to R: Margaret Meldrew (Annette Crosbie), Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson). Copyright: BBC

10. One Foot In The Grave

The grumpy complainer and accident prone Victor Meldrew takes early retirement and finds he has far too much time on his hands. His long suffering wife and neighbours just have to grin and bear it.

Father Ted. Image shows from L to R: Father Dougal McGuire (Ardal O'Hanlon), Father Ted Crilly (Dermot Morgan), Mrs Doyle (Pauline McLynn), Father Jack Hackett (Frank Kelly). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

11. Father Ted

Fathers Ted Crilly, Dougal McGuire and Jack Hackett are the inept priests of Craggy Island, banished from the mainland in various circumstances.

Keeping Up Appearances. Image shows from L to R: Hyacinth Bucket (Patricia Routledge), Richard Bucket (Clive Swift). Copyright: BBC

12. Keeping Up Appearances

Suburban snob Hyacinth Bucket devotes her time to monitoring standards and attempting to impress influential people.

'Allo 'Allo!. Image shows from L to R: Edith Melba Artois (Carmen Silvera), René François Artois (Gorden Kaye), Yvette Carte-Blanche (Vicki Michelle). Copyright: BBC

13. 'Allo 'Allo!

René Artois, proprietor of Café René in Nazi-occupied France, struggles to keep the business running whilst keeping the resistance and the army happy.

Last Of The Summer Wine. Image shows from L to R: Walter C. 'Foggy' Dewhurst (Brian Wilde), William 'Compo' Simmonite (Bill Owen), Norman Clegg (Peter Sallis). Copyright: BBC

14. Last Of The Summer Wine

Gentle sitcom following a group of pensioners living in Yorkshire. This show was Britain's longest-running TV sitcom.

Steptoe And Son. Image shows from L to R: Albert Steptoe (Wilfrid Brambell), Harold Steptoe (Harry H. Corbett). Copyright: BBC

15. Steptoe And Son

Albert Steptoe and his son Harold run a rag and bone business. Harold wants to move on in the world and leave home but his plans are always thwarted.

Men Behaving Badly. Image shows from L to R: Gary Strang (Martin Clunes), Dorothy (Caroline Quentin), Tony Smart (Neil Morrissey), Deborah (Leslie Ash). Copyright: Hartswood Films Ltd

16. Men Behaving Badly

Flat share sitcom following security salesman Gary and his lodger, as they attempt to navigate the opposite sex.

Absolutely Fabulous. Image shows from L to R: Bubble (Jane Horrocks), Saffron (Julia Sawalha), Edina (Jennifer Saunders), Mother (June Whitfield), Patsy (Joanna Lumley). Copyright: Saunders And French Productions / BBC

17. Absolutely Fabulous

Public relations maven Edina and best friend Patsy drive sensible daughter Saffron up the wall with their self-absorbed, substance-abusing escapades.

Red Dwarf. Image shows from L to R: Cat (Danny John-Jules), Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Lister (Craig Charles), Kryten (Robert Llewellyn). Copyright: UKTV

18. Red Dwarf

Science fiction sitcom based in space. The crew aboard the damaged mining spaceship Red Dwarf are doomed to drift in space for the rest of eternity.

The Royle Family. Image shows from L to R: Denise Royle / Best (Caroline Aherne), Dave Best (Craig Cash), Jim Royle (Ricky Tomlinson), Antony Royle (Ralf Little)

19. The Royle Family

The Royles are a family of couch potatoes who watch television in their dirty living room whilst chatting, arguing, and drinking copious amounts of tea and alcohol.

Are You Being Served?. Image shows from L to R: Mrs. Betty Slocombe (Mollie Sugden), Miss Shirley Brahms (Wendy Richard), Mr. Dick Lucas (Trevor Bannister), Mr. Cuthbert Rumbold (Nicholas Smith), Mr. Mash (Larry Martyn), Mr. Ernest Grainger (Arthur Brough), Mr. Wilberforce Humphries (John Inman), Captain Stephen Peacock (Frank Thornton). Copyright: BBC

20. Are You Being Served?

Sitcom set in London department store Grace Bros., where the Ladies' Intimate Apparel and Men's Ready To Wear departments are forced to share a floor.

To The Manor Born. Image shows from L to R: Audrey fforbes-Hamilton (Penelope Keith), Richard DeVere (Peter Bowles). Copyright: BBC

21. To The Manor Born

Riches-to-rags-to-riches romantic tale of Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, forced to sell her beloved stately home to pay off her late husband's debts.

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Frank Spencer (Michael Crawford). Credit: BBC

22. Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em

Accident-prone Frank Spencer creates havoc wherever he goes; wife Betty can only stand by and watch as he ruins everything.

The Likely Lads. Image shows from L to R: Terry Collier (James Bolam), Bob Ferris (Rodney Bewes)

23. The Likely Lads

Bob and Terry are two lads from the North East with contrasting desires and ambitions - except when it comes to chatting up girls.

My Family. Image shows from L to R: Michael Harper (Gabriel Thomson), Susan Harper (Zoë Wanamaker), Ben Harper (Robert Lindsay), Janey Harper (Daniela Denby-Ashe)

24. My Family

A long-running, high rating BBC One sitcom about an average middle class family. Stars Robert Lindsay and Zoe Wanamaker.

The Office. David Brent (Ricky Gervais)

25. The Office

A BBC documentary team film the office of David Brent, manager from hell: he's tactless and talentless, yet somehow thinks everyone loves him.

Drop The Dead Donkey. Image shows from L to R: Henry Davenport (David Swift), George Dent (Jeff Rawle), Helen Cooper (Ingrid Lacey), Sally Smedley (Victoria Wicks), Damien Day (Stephen Tompkinson), Gus Hedges (Robert Duncan), Joy Merryweather (Susannah Doyle). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions

26. Drop The Dead Donkey

Sitcom set at GlobeLink News, a TV news station which is ordered to start taking a sensationalist stance to the news by its new owner.

Rising Damp. Rupert Rigsby (Leonard Rossiter). Copyright: Yorkshire Television

27. Rising Damp

Rupert Rigsby is the grubby landlord of a seedy boarding house. His put-upon tenants include students Philip and Alan, and the glamorous Miss Jones.

dinnerladies. Image shows from L to R: Jean (Anne Reid), Stan (Duncan Preston), Brenda (Victoria Wood), Twinkle (Maxine Peake), Dolly (Thelma Barlow), Tony (Andrew Dunn), Anita (Shobna Gulati). Copyright: Good Fun / Pozzitive Productions

28. dinnerladies

The day-to-day work lives of the kitchen staff in a factory canteen. The staff are managed by Tony who is in love with dinnerlady Bren.

As Time Goes By. Image shows from L to R: Jean (Judi Dench), Lionel (Geoffrey Palmer). Copyright: DLT Entertainment Ltd.

29. As Time Goes By

Lionel and Jean were young lovers until accidentally losing touch. Years later they meet again by chance and unexpectedly rekindle their romance.

Hancock's Half Hour. Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock (Tony Hancock). Copyright: BBC

30. Hancock's Half Hour

Tony Hancock stars in Galton & Simpson's comic masterpiece, with his delusions of grandeur and acquaintances at the root of his every downfall.

The Young Ones. Image shows from L to R: Vyvyan (Adrian Edmondson), Neil (Nigel Planer), Mike (Christopher Ryan), Rick (Rik Mayall). Copyright: BBC

31. The Young Ones

Hippy Neil, nerdy Cliff Richard-obsessed Rick, psychopathic punk Vyvyan and smooth Mike share a squalid and collapsing student house together.

Till Death Us Do Part. Image shows from L to R: Mike Rawlins (Anthony Booth), Rita Rawlins (Una Stubbs), Alf Garnett (Warren Mitchell), Else Garnett (Dandy Nichols). Copyright: BBC

32. Till Death Us Do Part

Opinionated Alf Garnett reels off a string of misinformed, bigoted, reactionary opinions each week, to the chagrin of his family.

Butterflies. Image shows from L to R: Ben Parkinson (Geoffrey Palmer), Ria Parkinson (Wendy Craig)

33. Butterflies

Sitcom following dissatisfied housewife Ria Parkinson as she considers embarking on an exciting romantic affair with successful businessman Leonard.

The Thin Blue Line. Image shows from L to R: D.I. Grim (David Haig), P.C. Habib (Mina Anwar), Inspector Fowler (Rowan Atkinson), P.C. Goody (James Dreyfus), D.C. Boyle (Mark Addy), Sergeant Dawkins (Serena Evans), P.C. Gladstone (Rudolph Walker). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

34. The Thin Blue Line

Police sitcom about fastidious Inspector Raymond Fowler, his array of uniformed officers, and the oafish CID Inspector Grim.

The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin. Image shows from L to R: Reginald Perrin (Leonard Rossiter), Doc Morrissey (John Horsley). Copyright: BBC

35. The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin

A midlife crisis sitcom about a bored executive who fakes his own suicide and seeks to reinvent himself in a desperate search for purpose and contentment.

Phoenix Nights. Brian Potter (Peter Kay). Copyright: Goodnight Vienna Productions / Ovation Entertainments

36. Phoenix Nights

Bad-tempered, wheelchair-bound Brian Potter runs a struggling Bolton social club called The Phoenix.

Waiting For God. Image shows from L to R: Diana Trent (Stephanie Cole), Tom Ballard (Graham Crowden). Copyright: BBC

37. Waiting For God

Sitcom about two elderly delinquents determined to grow old disgracefully at the Bayview Retirement Home.

Birds Of A Feather. Image shows from L to R: Sharon Theodopolopodous (Pauline Quirke), Dorien Green (Lesley Joseph), Tracey Stubbs (Linda Robson). Copyright: Alomo Productions / Retort

38. Birds Of A Feather

Sitcom about mismatched sisters Tracey and Sharon, and their glamorous friend, Dorien.

Bread. Image shows from L to R: Joey Boswell (Graham Bickley), Aveline Boswell (Melanie Hill), Nellie Boswell (Jean Boht), Grandad (Kenneth Waller), Shifty (Bryan Murray), Adrian Boswell (Jonathon Morris), Billy Boswell (Nick Conway), Freddie Boswell (Ronald Forfar). Copyright: BBC

39. Bread

Liverpudlian Boswell family are experts at exploiting the system to get by in life, with plenty of dodgy deals and government handouts to help.

Hi-De-Hi!. Image shows from L to R: Gladys Pugh (Ruth Madoc), Jeffrey Fairbrother (Simon Cadell), Ted Bovis (Paul Shane), Spike Dixon (Jeffrey Holland). Copyright: BBC

40. Hi-De-Hi!

Fun and frolics at a branch of Maplin's Holiday Camp where the guests are the last thing on the mind of the staff.

The League Of Gentlemen. Image shows from L to R: Tubbs (Steve Pemberton), Edward (Reece Shearsmith). Copyright: BBC

41. The League Of Gentlemen

Royston Vasey is an isolated Northern community where dark, perverted and horrifying things happen behind closed doors.

I'm Alan Partridge. Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan). Copyright: Talkback Productions

42. I'm Alan Partridge

Deluded, insincere, tactless and largely talentless TV chat show host Alan Partridge is reduced to hosting a back-water local radio show.

Just Good Friends. Image shows from L to R: Penny Warrender (Jan Francis), Vince Pinner (Paul Nicholas). Copyright: BBC

43. Just Good Friends

Vince and Penny were about to get married, but he got cold feet and left her waiting at the church. Five years later they bump into each other again.

2point4 Children. Image shows from L to R: Bill (Belinda Lang), David (John Pickard), Ben (Gary Olsen), Jenny (Clare Buckfield). Copyright: BBC

44. 2point4 Children

The Porters seem to be a perfectly average bunch - mum, dad, son and daughter. This family, however, are anything but ordinary.

Bottom. Image shows from L to R: Richie Richard (Rik Mayall), Eddie Hitler (Adrian Edmondson). Copyright: BBC

45. Bottom

Richie Richard and Eddie Hitler are a pair of disgusting, anti-social and regularly violent losers who share a grubby flat in Hammersmith.

It Ain't Half Hot Mum. Image shows from L to R: BSM Geoffrey 'Shut Up' Williams (Windsor Davies), Bombardier 'Gloria' Beaumont (Melvyn Hayes). Copyright: BBC

46. It Ain't Half Hot Mum

India, 1944 - a Royal Artillery Concert Party try to avoid going in to action by performing for the troops with their brand of camp entertainment.

The Brittas Empire. Gordon Brittas (Chris Barrie). Copyright: BBC

47. The Brittas Empire

Despite his ambition and good intentions, everything seems to go wrong at Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre when manager Gordon Brittas is around.

Gimme Gimme Gimme. Image shows from L to R: Linda (Kathy Burke), Tom (James Dreyfus). Copyright: Tiger Aspect Productions

48. Gimme Gimme Gimme

Repulsive, overweight, loudmouth cretin Linda La Hughes shares a flat with Tom Farrell, an extremely camp gay man: both are obsessed with men.

Rab C. Nesbitt. Rab C. Nesbitt (Gregor Fisher). Copyright: The Comedy Unit

49. Rab C. Nesbitt

Long-running Scottish sitcom starring Gregor Fisher as Rab C Nesbitt, a rude, dirty, lazy, foul-mouthed, sexist alcoholic.

Goodnight Sweetheart. Image shows from L to R: Yvonne Sparrow (Emma Amos), Gary Sparrow (Nicholas Lyndhurst), Phoebe Sparrow (Elizabeth Carling). Copyright: Alomo Productions / BBC

50. Goodnight Sweetheart

Whilst walking around the East End, TV repairman Gary Sparrow is transported back to 1940 where he begins to live a second life.

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