Monty Python tops most influential comedy poll

Monty Python's Flying Circus has come first in a poll 4,000 people to find the most influential comedy series in British broadcasting history.

The UKTV Gold viewers were asked to choose from a shortlist of 30 sitcom, sketch, panel and satirical shows assembled by a panel of comedy performers and writers such as Barry Cryer.

Monty Python, which was written and performed by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, was chosen by 26 per cent of those who took part in the survey.

The rest of the top 10 was as follows: 2. Only Fools and Horses, 3= Blackadder, 3= Little Britain, 3= The Royle Family, 6. The Morecambe and Wise Show, 7= Spitting Image, 7= The Young Ones, 9. The Office, 10. The Vicar of Dibley.

Shows which narrowly missed out on a top ten place in the poll included The Day Today and Brass Eye, Hancock's Half Hour, Not The Nine O'Clock News and Have I Got News For You?.

James Newton, channel head of UKTV Gold, rather predictably said "The list clearly shows the massive breadth and depth of British comedy and is a celebration of the abundance of UK talent.". He also completely failed to point out the only reason they asked the woefully small 0.006% of the population what they thought was, we're guessing, so they could drum up a bit of publicity for their channel.