Following up the first part of my Top 100 Greatest TV Characters list recently, I am pleased to reveal my official Top 50 for your reading pleasure.

Again, I hope you all agree with my choices, enjoy!

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50) Lord Flashheart – Blackadder

Actor: Rik Mayall

Reason: Despite only appearing in three episodes of Blackadder, Lord Flashheart is easily the greatest guest character in British sitcom history. His cocky swagger and sexual boasting causes great annoyance to Edmund Blackadder but the late Rik Mayall lends his usual over-the-top persona to create a sublime scene-stealing role. Woof, woof!

Best Moment: Probably all his scenes in the Private Plane episode which consist of memorable quotes like “Treat your kite like you treat your woman… get inside her five times a day, take her to heaven and back.”

 

49) Jon Snow – Game of Thrones

Actor: Kit Harington

Reason: Snow plays a key role in the Game of Thrones universe as he pledges to protect the Night’s Watch from the threat of White Walkers and Wildlings. His heroic acts make him one of the more likeable characters on the show though he still manages to get killed in Series 5. Thankfully it doesn’t last long as he is resurrected and then plays a key role in taking back Winterfell which earns him the deserved title of “King of the North”

Best Moment: Proving he does know something, Jon leads from the front as he and his understrength army engage in a ferocious battle with Ramsay Bolton and his men in the sensational ‘Battle of the Bastards’ episode.

 

48) Uncle Albert Trotter – Only Fools and Horses

Actor: Buster Merryfield

Reason: Replacing a beloved character like Lennard Pearce’s Grandad seemed a daunting task for unknown actor Buster Merryfield but his sea-faring Uncle Albert would prove a stroke of genius by Only Fools writer John Sullivan. His witty tales about his time “during the war” would always delight audiences even if Del and Rodney didn’t think of it that way.

Best Moment: Constantly messing up his cue when having to act horrified, a scene that left David Jason on the verge of bursting out laughing.

 

47) Will McKenzie – The Inbetweeners

Actor: Simon Bird

Reason: Upon arriving at Rudge Park Comprehensive, Will endures a torrid time from various people including his new group of friends (who obsess over his fit mum) and his strict teacher Mr Gilbert. Despite trying to be the voice of reason, he always seems to end up in embarrassing scenarios that are only made worse when he tries to score with women. Feisty one he is!

Best Moment: After getting drunk, he proceeds to ridicule Neil’s dad resulting in the classic quote “You Bumder”

 

46) J.D Dorian – Scrubs

Actor: Zach Braff

Reason: As the leading figure of Scrubs, JD takes pride in his job at Sacred Heart Hospital and often day dreams about getting up to mischief with his best friend Turk or obsessing over his cynical mentor Dr. Cox. Braff depicts his man as a goofy individual but does manage to make us root for JD especially when he shows great commitment in trying to help the many patients who end up in his care.

Best Moment: JD gets very excited about Turk returning from his honeymoon which results in the pair running around Scared Heart desperate to hug each other.

 

45) Sergeant Arthur Wilson – Dad’s Army

Actor: John Le Mesurier

Reason: Despite holding the position of second-in-command with the Walmington-on-Sea platoon, Wilson is an undeniable charmer who doesn’t always take his role seriously which often leads to conflict with the authoritative Captain Mainwaring. Nevertheless he always assists with the men’s needs and has to ensure that he keeps an eye on his illegitimate son Frank Pike.

Best Moment: Wilson gets cross with Mainwaring when the latter proceeds to take advantage of a hammock.

 

44) Mick Garvey – Benidorm

Actor: Steve Pemberton

Reason: Lazy but very witty, Mick is your typical Lancastrian dad who ends up taking his family on several visits to the Solanna resort in Benidorm. Though he shares many crude exchanges with his vulgar mother-in-law Madge, he does have a strong relationship with his wife and children although their time together often leads to numerous mishaps.

Best Moment: When his potential father-in-law Mel (who happens to be very rich) is knocked unconscious, a desperate Mick tries to revive him with a punch. Bad idea kidda!

 

43) Hannibal Lecter – Hannibal

Actor: Mads Mikkelsen

Reason: It’s a difficult challenge trying to top Anthony Hopkins’ iconic portrayal of the sadistic psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter but former Bond villain actor Mads Mikkelsen does just that in the NBC series. His subtle but sinister take on the character has been well received by many fans even though he has never earned more credit for the performance particularly when sharing strong scenes with his main co-star Hugh Dancy. Damn you NBC for cancelling the show at its peak!

Best Moment: Hannibal is confronted by Jack Crawford about his dark secret at the start of Series 2 which results in a brutal fight between the pair.

 

42) Leonard ‘Oz’ Osborne – Auf Wiedersehen Pet

Actor: Jimmy Nail

Reason: The vulgar Geordie doesn’t look like a particularly memorable character but Jimmy Nail’s debut screen role helped him become an unlikely legend amongst television audiences. His outrageous antics usually get the Auf Wiedersehen Pet lads into trouble but he shares a great passion for brickwork and his beloved Newcastle United. Howay the lad!

Best Moment: Oz delivers a critical rant about Britain’s working class troubles though his complaints have only occurred because he is being strip-searched!

 

41) Cersei Lannister – Game of Thrones

Actor: Lena Headey

Reason: Played with great venom by Headey, Cersei is a very deceitful woman who has held her own in the Game of Thrones world particularly when it comes to occupying her position as Queen. However like so many other characters, she has had to suffer some pain of her own not least when she was forced to go through the Walk of Shame. She is also very devoted to her children (including the horrible Joffrey!) even if their real father is actually her brother Jamie!

Best Moment: The great schemer finally gets her revenge on those who have wronged her when she has the Great Sept of Baelor destroyed by wildfire in the Series 6 finale. Ruthless!

 

40) Woody Boyd – Cheers

Actor: Woody Harrelson

Reason: The sad death of Nicholas Colasanto (Coach) during Cheers’ third season led to the writers making the risky decision of bringing in a new, fresh-faced character for the following series. That newcomer ended up being Woody whose dopey yet loveable personality helped him become a regular fixture for the remainder of the show’s run. His wacky stories about his hometown Hannover often bring out many laughs while you can’t help but adore his relationship with the equally dim-witted Kelly Gaines.

Best Moment: Woody tries to impress Kelly at her birthday party by paying tribute to her in a song. Cringeworthy stuff!

 

39) Frank Spencer – Some Mothers Do ‘Ave Em

Actor: Michael Crawford

Reason: Always accident-prone, Frank means well but never realises how much trouble he is causing whether it involves chores at home or partaking in various jobs. Given his reputation as a talented musical singer in the likes of Phantom of the Opera, Crawford is a joy to watch as Frank and makes us root for him even when his actions are awkward to watch. He also puts a lot of commitment into the role especially when it comes to the thrilling physical sequences. Ooooooh Betty!

Best Moment: During the Scottish Country Dance, Frank forgets to keep his kilt together which results in a cheeky mishap.

 

38) Madge Harvey – Benidorm

Actor: Sheila Reid

Reason: Unlike another TV nan from earlier in the list, Madge has a vulgar mouth, smokes constantly and loves to spend her holidays getting a tan which often lead to several funny remarks from her son-in-law Mick. Given her lengthy screen career, it’s hard to believe that Reid will probably be remembered most for playing this abusive woman.

Best Moment: Madge fights for her man by having a Mexican stand-off on her mobile scooter with the late Wendy Richard.

 

37) Carrie Mathison – Homeland

Actor: Claire Danes

Reason: Although she can lose the plot from time-to-time, Carrie is very passionate about defending her country even if the results prove to be catastrophic. Coming a long way since Romeo + Juliet, Danes puts so much emotion into a role that requires a strong female performance and this has helped her become one of the biggest stars in television. Luckily for Homeland fans, it won’t be long before Carrie returns to our screens when the upcoming fifth series premieres in early October.

Best Moment: Hiding under a veil, Carrie is pursued by a bad guy and proceeds to knee him where it hurts. Her reaction walking away is pure delight!

 

36) Gustavo Fring – Breaking Bad /
Better Call Saul

Actor: Giancarlo Esposito

Reason: Owner of the Los Pallos food chain, Gus also runs a secret drug operation which enables Walt and Jesse to work with him. Initially depicted as a calm, working man, his sinister intentions become more clear over the course of Breaking Bad’s third and fourth series as he starts to get violent towards those who try to get the better of him. However crossing paths with Walt ultimately leads to his downfall in the most dramatic fashion.

Best Moment: In a scene full of nerve-wracking suspense, Gus calmly walks into the lab with the initial intention of punishing Walt and Jesse. Instead he proceeds to use a box cutter to cut his henchman’s throat. Brutal stuff!

 

35) Hyacinth Bucket – Keeping Up Appearances

Actor: Patricia Routledge

Reason: The queen of snooty, upper-class TV women, Hyacinth takes great pride in her large house but her boisterous behaviour often irritates many people including her long-suffering husband Richard. However she does have to keep her wealthy friends from knowing about her chavvy family which leads to many awkward situations. A wonderful role for Birkenhead-born actress Routledge though a pity the series didn’t get a proper ending!

Best Moment: The lady of the house takes a tumble into the water when her canal boat collides with some marshes.

 

34) Blanche Hunt – Coronation Street

Actor: Maggie Jones

Reason: Another elderly battleaxe to make this list, Blanche initially made small appearances in Corrie until she was brought back permanently in the late 90s. This proved a masterstroke by the Corrie writers as they allowed her to use her acid tongue to perfection especially when it involved long-suffering daughter Deirdie and son-in-law Ken. Sadly, the sudden death of Jones in 2009 came as a serious blow for the programme as it meant the end of one of the great soap characters.

Best Moment: A masterclass of exceptional acting and writing, Blanche has a field day at an Alcohol Anonymous meeting much to the dismay of her family.

 

33) Manuel – Fawlty Towers

Actor: Andrew Sachs

Reason: The hopeless Spanish waiter tries to do a top job for frustrated hotel manager Basil Fawlty but his poor English usually results in various mishaps. Most of his actions are usually blamed on his Barcelona origin but he still stays loyal to his employer throughout Fawlty Towers’ two series even when he is subjected to some terrible abuse such as eye-poking and being smacked on the head by a frying pan! Great comedy work from the underrated Sachs!

Best Moment: As Basil tries to explain to Lord Melbury about Manuel, he holds up cards with big-lettered instructions to his worker leading to a funny response from the Spaniard.

 

32) Father Ted Crilly – Father Ted

Actor: Dermot Morgan

Reason: Exiled to Craggy Island because of a dodgy financial situation (the money was just resting in his account!), Ted tries to carry out his active duties as a priest but spends a lot time getting caught up in frustrating situations with his idiotic colleague Dougal. Though the sitcom did get a satisfying end, Morgan’s unexpected death from a heart attack in 1998 put paid to any hopes of a comeback special. Almost two decades on, his performance on the hit show remains as popular as it did back then.

Best Moment: Ted decides to have some fun with a lampshade and do an impression of a Chinese man. Unfortunately his timing proves terrible especially when he turns to the window….

 

31) Frasier Crane – Cheers / Frasier

Actor: Kelsey Grammar

Reason: Only nominated for his time on Cheers (not a fan of Frasier!), Dr Crane originally started off as the charming boyfriend of fellow intellectual Diane Chambers. But even after their split, he would continue to come back to the bar which would lead to Grammar becoming a series regular. Despite his smart reputation, Frasier allowed himself to mingle with the less intelligent crowd but also flourished when paired up with fellow psychiatrist Lilith Sternin which would result in many sharp exchanges between the duo.

Best Moment: Angered about not being manly enough, Fraiser proceeds to grab a pair of scissors and run around the bar in the above clip.

 

30) Dick Solomon – 3rd Rock from the Sun

Actor: John Lithgow

Reason: When he’s not playing strict reverends, scheming lords and sadistic serial killers, John Lithgow has a lot of fun playing the goofy alien-turned-teacher Dick in the entertaining sci-fi sitcom. Despite his loyalty to the alien race, Dick ultimately becomes attached to his new home though his lessons about humans often produces some hilarious results. We also revel in seeing him pursue fellow teacher Mary Albright in one of the show’s more subtle subplots.

Best Moment: Upon seeing Mary in the office, a delighted Dick runs up to her in a brilliant scene involving slow-motion acting.

 

29) Randy Marsh – South Park

Actor: Trey Parker

Reason: Having started off merely as a background character for the first several seasons of South Park, Randy becomes more prominent to the point where he overshadows the antics of our four young protagonists in later episodes. While he’s your typical family man, he does fall prey to some of the situations going on in particular installments such as getting into fights at baseball games or using racist language on game shows.

Best Moment: Desperate for some sexual relief at a protective base, Randy discovers a secret computer and gets the opportunity to watch some porn. The results are both disgusting and hysterical!

 

28) Saul Goodman – Breaking Bad /

Better Call Saul

Actor: Bob Odenkirk

Reason: Before Better Call Saul came to our screens, the dodgy Albuquerque lawyer was as slimy a man as you could get when it came to conjuring up wacky schemes in order to help Walt and Jesse with their secret drug trade. However the prequel series allowed us to see him as a more ambitious man determined to help people yet ultimately succumb to the pressure of greed, just like his future clients. Odenkirk has so much fun in the role that you can’t help but grin whenever he pops up in both shows.

Best Moment: Saul delves into a lengthy monologue explaining his Chicago Sunroof experience to the bemused bingo crowd in the series 1 finale of Better Call Saul.

 

27) David Brent – The Office

Actor: Ricky Gervais

Reason: Awkward British comedy was enhanced further by Gervais’ debut television character, a man with so much cocky arrogance yet tries to stay on good terms with his office staff. While many of his gags produce a lot of cringe-inducing moments (“There’s been a rape!”), you still root for Brent even when he suffers the heartbreak of redundancy at the end of Series 2. Gervais’ screen career was launched by this iconic role and has helped him go on to big things including hosting the Golden Globes three times.

Best Moment: During the annual Comic Relief day at the office, David tries to overshadow his boss Neil by performing his own dance. Embarrassing but legendary!

 

26) Tim Taylor – Home Improvement

Actor: Tim Allen

Reason: Although he is passionate about improving homes, Tim is an accident-prone individual who usually causes chaos and often finds himself being overshadowed by his sidekick Al Borland when presenting their show Tool Time. However he’s a loyal family man who cares about his wife and sons even if he has to seek constant advice from his well-hidden neighbour Wilson. Allen’s charisma helps the character become endearing to audiences and it’s always fun watching him produce those silly grunts that never grow tiresome.

Best Moment: To celebrate the anniversary of Tool Time, Tim and his friends and family come together to form a barnstorming rendition of “Greased Lightening”.

 

25) Stewie Griffin – Family Guy

Actor: Seth MacFarlane

Reason: The youngest nominee on the list, Stewie may look cute but he has a ruthless mind which enables him to plot world domination as well as killing his mother Lois. Over the course of Family Guy, his darkness softens yet he continues to come out with hilarious one-liners that are never heard by his family. Another part of his development has been his secret homosexuality which becomes apparent in later series albeit he never wants to admit it even in the most awkward of circumstances!

Best Moment: As Chris prepares to go on a date with a girl with Downs Syndrome, Stewie proceeds to burst into song about how he should ready himself. Clever songwriting from Seth and co.

 

24) Jesse Pinkman – Breaking Bad

Actor: Aaron Paul

Reason: Originally set to be killed off after the first series, many people probably wished Jesse had suffered badly given his cocky attitude. But by Series 3, the young drug dealer had gone through so much pain and torment as he found himself being emotionally manipulated by his former teacher Walter White. Paul’s powerful role deservedly won him a couple of Emmys and also gave audiences some memorable ways of saying “BITCH!” and “MAGNETS!”

Best Moment: In the show’s finale, a messed up Jesse finally gets his chance at redemption by strangling Andrea’s killer Todd in a crowd-pleasing moment.

 

23) Al Bundy – Married with Children

Actor: Ed O’Neil

Reason: A hero to many men around the world, family man Al speaks the truth about all facts of life including the way the male species are treated by domineering women. He often becomes frustrated with the lazy attitude of his nagging wife Peggy but normally revels in daydreaming about being in the arms of beautiful models or the time he scored four touchdowns in one game. However his best traits come from insulting the many customers who enter his shoe store throughout all eleven series of the hit sitcom.

Best Moment: Upon making a large amount of money, Al does his best godfather impression when nosy neighbours Marcy and Jefferson come calling.

 

22) Dr. Perry Cox – Scrubs

Actor: John C. McGinley

Reason: As the sarcastic but dedicated doctor of Sacred Heart Hospital, Perry likes to insult fellow staff members like JD (who looks up to him as a mentor) and Chris Turk but always tries to help everyone when having to deal with sick patients. An avid fan of the Detroit Red Wings (as well as a big hatred for Hugh Jackman), Perry meets his match in the form of his equally spiteful ex-wife Jordan but ultimately the pair end up remarrying which creates more trouble for the Sacred Heart regulars.

Best Moment: One of the more tragic scenes of the whole series shows Perry having an emotional breakdown when three patients die on him on the same day.

 

21) Rodney Trotter – Only Fools and Horses

Actor: Nicholas Lyndhurst

Reason: A bit of a plonker at times, the young yet lanky Rodney is very ambitious but is forced to help his older brother Del with their trading business Trotters Independent Traders. As the series progresses, he becomes more mature and ends up finding love in the form of college classmate Cassandra. However he still manages to get himself into various antics with his sibling throughout the programme’s run which often lead to him wearing ridiculous outfits or getting in trouble with others.

Best Moment: When Cassandra gets up to leave, Rodney gives her a farewell hug thinking she is heading off only to be informed that she is only going to the toilet. The embarrassed look on his face says it all!

 

20) Victor Meldrew – One Foot in the Grave

Actor: Richard Wilson

Reason: “I DON’T BELIEVE IT!”. As Britain’s grumpiest character, Victor struggles to deal with retirement and often complains about everything in his life which causes frustration for his long-suffering wife Margaret. Whether it be lazy workers or disgruntled neighbours, Victor will always voice his outrage though occasionally he does end up suffering for it. Disappointingly, the character was killed off in the programme’s poignant finale but his legacy lives on amongst life’s great moaners.

Best Moment: When the telephone begins to ring, Victor picks it up from the side of his chair and answers it only to realise that he has grabbed Pippa’s small black puppy. A classic sitcom moment!

 

19) Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade – Still Game

Actor(s): Ford Kieran and Greg Hemphill

Reason: It was hard to pick who was the better character out of the two Scottish pensioners but in the end, I opted to pick both of them. The cantankerous yet witty pair make for a wonderful on-screen partnership as they find themselves getting up to various escapades in the rough Scottish town of Craiglang. While they provide a lot of hilarious humour, there is also a genuine bond between them which is helped by Kiernan and Hemphill’s all-round contribution to the un-appreciated sitcom. Get it up yous!

Best Moment: A lot of tough choices but I eventually went for the hysterical scene of Jack accidentally swallowing a wedding ring which leads to Victor filming him during the chaos.

 

18) Daenerys Targaryen – Game of Thrones

Actor: Emilia Clarke

Reason: A beautiful but dangerous woman, many would have dismissed the Khaleesi as nothing more than just a pretty face after her opening scenes of the HBO show. But by the end of the first series, she had inherited dragons which would make a massive difference in her bid for the Iron Throne. Thankfully after six seasons, Dany and her followers are FINALLY making the journey to Westeros which will come as a relief to many. Clarke’s effective portrayal at least ensures that the Queen of Dragons holds her own as one of television’s most iconic female characters.

Best Moment: Quite a few contenders here but her burning of the Dosh Khaleen temple in the recent series proved once again can badass she could be.

 

17) Peter Griffin – Family Guy

Actor: Seth MacFarlane

Reason: Peter thinks he’s smart but is actually clueless to the point of being briefly referred to as mentally retarded. Whilst he tries to maintain authority with his family, he often likes to make cruel remarks about daughter Meg, get frisky with wife Lois or get into random fights with a giant yellow chicken. He also spends his free time hanging out with his buddies, Quagmire, Cleveland and Joe for which the group get up to many risky adventures. Whilst he may lack the charm of fellow cartoon dads Homer, Hank and Randy, his outrageous behaviour is what makes us treasure him as a character.

Best Moment: Upon hearing the classic 60s tune “Surfin’ Bird”, Peter becomes obsessed with dancing and singing along to it on various occasions much to the annoyance of his family.

 

16) Sheldon Cooper – The Big Bang Theory

Actor: Jim Parsons

Reason: The socially-awkward but brilliant physicist usually causes a lot of aggravation to his long-suffering flatmate Leonard but you can’t help but love Sheldon’s erratic behaviour. Over time, we grow to understand why he turns out that way which is down to the solid commitment of Parsons who won an incredible FOUR Emmys for his performance. We also hope that he will finally end his ongoing reluctance to get romantic with his long-term love interest Amy Farrah-Fowler.

Best Moment: Desperate to work out a certain theory involving atoms, Sheldon decides to rely on a ball pool for answers only to try and outmaneuver Leonard with the iconic catchphrase “Bazinga”.

 

15) Malcolm Tucker – The Thick of It

Actor: Peter Capaldi

Reason: Before becoming the current Doctor Who, the effortless Peter Capaldi demonstrated his passion for foul-mouthed language when he starred in the brilliant BBC sitcom The Thick of It. His BAFTA-winning role as abusive spin doctor Malcolm Tucker was lauded by many viewers over three series and he eventually became more recognisable to US audiences when the character appeared in the 2009 satire In the Loop. Political staff never stood a chance whenever he was round!

Best Moment: When told to stop swearing by a man, Malcolm apologises only to then unleash venom on the same person with a classic response.

 

14) Geraldine Granger – The Vicar of Dibley

Actor: Dawn French

Reason: The boisterous vicar is the highest ranked female on my list and it’s easy to see why. Having already proved her comedy credentials with French and Saunders, Dawn helped Geraldine became a much-loved figure for many viewers with her larger-than-life personality which often caused a stir with Dibley’s old-fashioned committee. Her dedication to the vicarage normally got in the way of her love life though that all changed when she finally got hitched to the handsome Harry (Richard Armitage) in the sitcom’s celebrated finale.

Best Moment: Whilst enjoying a romantic stroll in the country with David’s brother Simon, Geraldine decides to jump on a couple of puddles. The end result is obvious but still remains a comedy classic!

 

13) Phil Dunphy – Modern Family

Actor: Ty Burrell

Reason: As one of television’s favourite dads, estate agent Phil tries to be hip around his family but is often shot down for being immature. While he does mean well, he comes out as being more of a wimpy husband to his domineering wife Claire. But even when he puts himself into awkward situations, he still maintains a strong bond with his children and gives them usual advice. Burrell is easily the standout performer of the brilliant ensemble cast and continues to be hilarious after six series.

Best Moment: Whilst coming home from work, Phil gets a basketball thrown at his head by Luke which ricochets into the hoop.

 

12) Mr Bean – Mr Bean

Actor: Rowan Atkinson

Reason: Another great comedy creation from the mesmerising Atkinson, Bean is a total buffoon who is innocent enough but always creates disaster for others no matter where he goes. Whether it be going swimming, trying to tend to a baby or hosting a New Year’s Eve party, he always manages to do everything in a way that most people would never imagine. However the charm of the character is what makes him memorable even if his two big-screen outings failed to impress. Luckily, he still makes occasional appearances such as a humourous sketch at the opening of the 2012 London Olympics or even a Snickers advert!

Best Moment: A wonderful sequence sees Bean standing in line waiting to greet the Queen. But after desperately trying to fix his zipper, he finally gets himself in order only to nod a bit too forward on her royal Majesty.

 

11) Alan Partridge – I’m Alan Partridge

Actor: Steve Coogan

Reason: A-HA! Norwich’s favourite radio DJ has been through a lot over the course of twenty years. Having had his own chat show, Knowing Me Knowing You, he ends up being confined to living in a travel inn (later a caravan) and presenting a local radio slot. However he yearns for the chance to return to the big time but ends up suffering further humiliation along the way. Despite his cocky swagger and some fantastic one-liners (“Smell my cheese!”), Alan deserves his place amongst the great British sitcom characters especially after making a cracking big-screen debut in 2013’s Alpha Papa.

Best Moment: A genius acting sequence from Coogan sees Alan having to explain the beginning of the James Bond flick The Spy Who Loved Me to his friends.

 

10) Homer Simpson – The Simpsons

Actor: Dan Castellaneta

Reason: The highest ranked animated character on the list, Homer does share similar traits to earlier entry Peter Griffin in terms of being overweight, lazy and stupid. But unlike his Family Guy counterpart, Homer is celebrated a lot more by audiences worldwide given he came first. Parts of that success range from either inventing the famous quote “Doh!”, guzzling down Duff beer or getting himself into various jams with other people including a wide variety of celebrities. But despite his outlandish behaviour, he always shows loyalty to his family and tries to do the right thing even if it doesn’t work out.

Best Moment: Whilst in space, Homer opens up a packet of crisps which go everywhere on the ship. With the tune of Strauss’ The Blue Danube being played in the background, he then proceeds to float around eating them one by one only to crash into an ant tank.

 

9) Tony Soprano – The Sopranos

Actor: James Gandolfini

Reason: One of television’s first anti-heroes, Tony dominates the screen whenever he appears and makes it perfectly clear that he is not a man to mess with from the very first episode. As New Jersey mob boss, he finds himself having to divide his time between dealing with his business and his conflicted family which often leads to emotional outbursts. However his constant stress results in him seeing psychiatrist Dr. Melfi as he ends up revealing memories from his childhood that have made him the man he is today. Gandolfini’s larger-than-life performance was universally praised by critics although watching Tony now is difficult given the actor’s tragic death in 2013.

Best Moment: Whilst watching the end of The Public Enemy, Tony breaks down whilst thinking about the death of his mother Livia.

 

8) Captain George Mainwaring – Dad’s Army

Actor: Arthur Lowe

Reason: Sharing his responsibility as bank manager with his role as platoon leader, Captain Mainwaring revels in authority during World War II. But while he dedicates his time to helping the war effort in Britain, he also finds himself having to deal with a dysfunctional squad of soldiers who constantly make him suffer as they get themselves caught up in disastrous missions. Lowe stays consistent in the role throughout the much-loved series and ensures that Mainwaring never loses his grip on being uptight even when he has to act wimpish around his unseen wife Elizabeth. Toby Jones has a lot to live up to when the new Dad’s Army film comes out next year!

Best Moment: The definitive scene of the sitcom sees Mainwaring having his name taken by a smug U-boat captain which results in Private Pike taunting the German. But when asked for his name, Mainwaring drops his young private in it!

 

7) Sam Malone – Cheers

Actor: Ted Danson

Reason: The cocky but likeable Sam maintains a strong position as owner of the Cheers bar but only has two passions in his life, women and baseball. The latter is something he had already achieved prior to taking on the bar but his love for women becomes an ongoing theme through the sublime US sitcom. No matter how many times he flirts and gets rejected, he keeps coming back thus confirming his status as television’s answer to Don Juan. Danson makes the role look easy particularly when sharing chemistry with chief female co-stars Shelley Long (as Sam’s first romance Diane) and Kirstie Alley (bar manager Rebecca) but by the end of the series, Sam chooses to stay loyal to the greatest love of his life, his bar.

Best Moment: After suffering a bad Halloween prank the year before, Sam gets revenge on the Cheers regulars by conjuring up a fake scheme which involves them taking a bus ride to the middle of nowhere. Cue the truthful phone-call he makes to Carla!

 

6) Tyrion Lannister – Game of Thrones

Actor: Peter Dinklage

Reason: In a world full of corrupt and dangerous individuals, Tyrion stands tall (excuse the pun!) amongst all who underestimate him. His first appearances in HBO’s groundbreaking series initially show him as a lustful, beer-swigging dwarf who hurls insults out to anyone which includes his vile nephew Joffrey (which we always applaud!) and his sister Cersei. But by the second series, we begin to root for the character when we learn more about his troubled past and his hopes of a happier life though as we all know, GOT does not show mercy to anyone. With a Golden Globe and Emmy to his name, Dinklage brings weight and humanity to a complex, riveting character who continues to be one of the reasons why the show has stayed popular after five gripping series.

Best Moment: Wrongly accused of poisoning his nephew Joffrey, an emotional Tyrion launches into an angry tirade which ends with him demanding a trial by combat. Mesmerising work from Dinklage!

 

5) Trigger – Only Fools and Horses

Actor: Roger Lloyd-Pack

Reason: As the most popular supporting character in sitcom history, dour-faced road-sweeper Trigger represents the stupid but loyal individual that you come to expect down the local pub. Whether he’s constantly referring to Rodney as ‘Dave’ or coming out with hilarious one-liners (“I thought you said it was open 24 hours?” “Yeah but not at night.”), he does it all with a straight face. While Del and Rodders both provide the central entertainment plot-wise, Trigger’s scene-stealing humour always brings plenty of laughs to the audience which goes to show to how strong the support cast were in the excellent sitcom. However the sad death of actor Roger Lloyd-Pack last year all but effectively killed off any chance of bringing Only Fools back but the character will always be a legend to many.

Best Moment: As the Nag’s Head regulars toast Rodney and Cassandra, they shout their out names only for Trigger to say ‘Dave’ off-screen. Perfect comic-timing.

 

4) Jim Royle – The Royle Family

Actor: Ricky Tomlinson

Reason: A pivotal figure amongst all lazy men, Jim loves nothing better than to watch the television, play the banjo and boss his family around. Always up for a good laugh, he also likes to insult his mother-in-law Norma (“Where do you want me?” “Next door.”) which often leads to fierce tension between the pair. As with many other great comedy creations, he also has his own personal catchphrase in the form of “My arse” which continues to be a popular saying in modern culture. But despite his laid-back attitude, he does show a bit of care for his family now and again particularly long-suffering wife Barbara and equally-lazy daughter Denise. The role helped scouser Tomlinson become a household name even into his late 50s. Nice one lurch!

Best Moment: After learning that Anthony’s band has split up, Jim struggles to hold it together as he bursts out laughing.

 

3) Basil Fawlty – Fawlty Towers

Actor: John Cleese

Reason: Inspired by a bad experience involving real-life hotel manager Gordon Sinclair, Basil is undoubtedly the rudest man to have in charge of your accommodation. Played with great tenacity by the brilliant Cleese, Basil struggles to be gracious as he bids to climb the social-ladder only to deal with complaining guests and his dopey Spanish waiter Manuel. Whenever a crisis takes place throughout all twelve episodes of the classic sitcom, he tries to maintain order whether it be dodgy builders, high-class clientele or even rats but always ends up being humiliated in slapstick fashion. Despite the its brief time on television during the 1970s, Fawlty Towers still holds its own forty years on with a lot of that being down to Cleese’s iconic role. Just don’t mention the war!

Best Moment: On the subject of war, a concussed Basil does nothing but insult his German guests which leads to him doing the funny walk. Genius moment even to this day.

 

2) Walter White – Breaking Bad

Actor: Bryan Cranston

Reason: A compelling character from start to finish, Walter ‘Heisenberg’ White goes through a remarkable transition over the course of five breathtaking series of Breaking Bad. Upon being diagnosed with lung cancer, he initially makes the decision to care for his family’s future by turning toward drug production. However his thirst for financial success begins to corrupt him particularly towards the end of Series 2 when he is forced to resort to desperate measures to keep his partnership with former student Jesse going. It does becomes difficult to root for the man when his dark side is made more evident but despite that, we still find ourselves fascinated by his intelligent mind which is put to majestic use in key situations. By the end, we aren’t sure whether to support or despise him when his crimes are finally exposed which is great testament to Cranston’s powerhouse (and multi-award-winning) performance.

Best Moment: As Skylar voices her concern about Walt being in danger, he angrily delivers a bad-ass (and very quotable) monologue that shocks his wife to the core.

 

1) Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter – Only Fools and Horses

Actor: David Jason

Reason: Holding the title of the Cinematique’s greatest television character, Del Boy truly is a work of genius. As the wise-cracking and quotable figure of Britain’s favourite sitcom, he makes himself a legend amongst audiences with his never-say-die attitude (“He who dares, wins”) as he and his plonker brother Rodney try to make it big in the trading business. Though many of their schemes usually backfire, Del always comes back knocking. The same can also be said for his pursuit of women which eventually ends when he becomes a family man after Series 7. But whilst he may be cocky and lacking in the French language, you can’t help but love the man which is why the moment he and Rodney become millionaires in the 1996 Christmas trilogy always brings a smile on my face every-time I watch it. Jason’s enthusiastic portrayal never falters especially for the programme’s darker moments as Del shows signs of his humanity even amongst all the wheeling and dealing. A landmark character who is a worthy champion of this exciting list. Lovely jubbly innit?

Best Moment: Need I say more….