Fawlty Towers has been named the greatest British sitcom of all time.
A panel of comedy experts reckoned John Cleese’s turn as the constantly furious hotelier was funnier than Father Ted and Alan Partridge, who were second and third.
The Radio Times brought writers, directors and comedy industry insiders together to select the 20 funniest shows ever. The list includes hardy perennials – Dad’s Army, The Good Life, Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads – and more recent shows such as Gavin and Stacey and Detectorists.
It’s a bloketastic line up, with Absolutely Fabulous, Dinner Ladies and The Vicar Of Dibley the only three with women in the leading roles.
And there is not a single show set in Scotland in the list. Armando Iannucci’s masterful political satire, The Thick Of It, starred Peter Capaldi as spin doctor Malcolm Tucker but it was set in Westminster.
Here are ten of the epic Scottish shows they missed.
Scotland’s Home of the Year host on why she's doesn't want to be next Kirstie Allsopp
Govan rocket Gregor Fisher, in his string vest and mocket bandage, was lowlife scum and proud of it. A great supporting cast including Elaine C Smith as the put-upon Mary Doll helped him rant through 10 series.
2 Still Game
Craiglang’s sprightly pensioners, Jack and Victor, represent a generation of auld fellas in bunnets and v-neck sweaters that no longer exists. Writers and stars Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan captured scheme life with huge affection and a sharp eye.
3 City Lights
The late Gerard Kelly starred as frustrated bank teller Willie Melvin, desperately trying to launch his dreadful autobiographical novel onto an uncaring world. It ran for six series and even featured a guest spot from Billy Connolly.
4 The Vital Spark
Neil Munro’s gently comic novels have had several television incarnations which have seen several veteran character actors through hard times. Somehow the antics of the crew of the Clyde puffer in the 1930s never get old.
5 One Foot In The Grave
Scottish actor Richard Wilson makes the show about Victor Meldrew and the trials and tribulations of his grumpy old age. When he initially turned down the role it was offered to Les Dawson, which would have made for six very different series.
6 Two Doors Dow
A modern sitcom, set in suburbia, with a standout performance from Elaine C Smith as the boundary-free Christine. She is the nosy, insensitive, appallingly dressed invalid who makes her long-suffering neighbours’ lives unbearable.
7 Gary: Tank Commander
Greg McHugh writes and stars as the chunky, fake-tanned veteran returned from Afghanistan to the mean streets of Midlothian. Cheesy pasta and Curly Wurlies are at the centre of many of the recurring gags.
8 Scot Squad
A spoof of police documentaries, Scot Squad follows the United Scottish Police Force in its inept attempts to fight crime. Jack Docherty is Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson. Joe Hullait, the show’s creator, is also the narrator.
9 The High Life
Before Hollywood, Alan Cumming was a comedy double act with his RSAMD pal Forbes Masson. They developed their cabaret characters, Victor and Barry, into a pair of trolley dollies from Air Scotia, flying out of Prestwick Airport.
10 Bob Servant
Neil Forsyth’s burger van Lothario started life as a jokey email to his old pals in Broughty Ferry. Brought to life by Dundonian Brian Cox, in oxblood leather jacket and razor-creased jumbo cords, he is one of the quirkiest comedy characters of recent years.
