Meldrew catchphrase tops poll

Victor Meldrew: About to utter his famous phrase?

Victor Meldrew's famous catchphrase "I don't believe it!" has been voted the greatest comedy slogan in the Radio Times Comedy Poll.

The grumpy character, loved by millions, was played by actor Richard Wilson in BBC One sitcom One Foot in the Grave.

He said it was a "release" when Meldrew was killed off at the end of the final series in October.

Del Boy Trotter (centre): Famed for "Lovely Jubbly!"

He told the Radio Times at the time he would only say the phrase for charity in future, because he was so sick of being asked to repeat it.

But the famous words, usually shouted after yet another misfortune befell Meldrew, scored twice as many votes as the runner-up, Del Boy Trotter's famous slogan "Lovely jubbly!".

Del Boy Trotter was considered the best male sitcom character, with The Good Life's Margo Leadbetter winning the female sitcom character category.

Basil Fawlty's gourmet night still tickles ribs

The survey also revealed that Steptoe and Son were the most popular double act, while Victoria Wood won two categories - best sketch show (for As Seen On TV) and top TV stand-up comedian.

Readers also voted on US comedies, and M*A*S*H - about a field hospital unit in Korea during the 1950s war - beat The Phil Silvers Show, Frasier, Friends and Seinfeld, winning 40% of the votes.

The Radio Times asked 2,500 readers to select their favourite programmes, moments and characters from TV comedies from the 1950s to the present day.

Victoria Wood: Won two categories

They chose a scene from Fawlty Towers as their best slapstick moment, with Basil Fawlty's gourmet-night duck a l'orange disguised as a blancmange.

The Two Ronnies' Fork Handles scene won best sketch, with more than twice as many votes in that category as Monty Python's legendary Dead Parrot sketch.

Have I Got News For You presenter Angus Deayton was judged the funniest presenter on TV, while The Mrs Merton Show is the best satirical show.

Deayton (centre): Funniest presenter

But it was not smiles all round for everyone - Lenny Henry's comedy show Chef! was voted the worst sitcom, followed by You Rang, M'Lord, On the Buses and Mind Your Language.

The biggest comedy let-down was comedian Lee Evans's So What Now?, with other disappointments including Eddie Izzard's Cows and Emma Thompson's series Thompson.

The poll ties in with the Summer Nights of Comedy season throughout August on UK Gold, which is sponsored by Radio Times.