Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock Holmes named BBC's top character
BBC Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fabled spy beat competition from acclaimed British television figures, including Basil Fawlty, the Doctor in Doctor Who and Hyacinth Bucket, to take the accolade. BBC Worldwide surveyed more than 7,000 18 to 64-year-olds from seven countries including Australia, France, the US and Japan in the public vote, with almost 30 per cent backing Cumberbatch's Sherlock. In second place was the Doctor, while Idris Elba's murder detective DCI John Luther came in third.
Cumberbatch also took the crown for most memorable scene as Sherlock for his apparent fall to death at the end of the show's second series. It was named most iconic BBC moment with 26 per cent of the vote, ahead of Monty Python's Dead Parrot sketch in second. Colin Firth's Mr Darcy emerging topless from the lake in Pride And Prejudice also made the top 10 in fifth while David Brent's improvised dance at a comic relief party in The Office came in eighth.
GETTY Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fabled spy beat competition from acclaimed British television figures
Cumberbatch said: "I'm honoured to hear that my portrayal of Sherlock has been internationally recognised as viewers' favourite BBC TV character.
Who would have thought a high-functioning sociopath could be so popular Benedict Cumberbatch
"Who would have thought a high-functioning sociopath could be so popular with people all over the world?" The contemporary reimagining of Conan Doyle's Sherlock, co-starring Martin Freeman as Dr Watson, has been sold by the BBC to 240 territories internationally. The series, created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, has received numerous accolades since its debut on the BBC in 2010.
BBC The Daleks from the Doctor Who series
Earlier this year the fourth series, rumoured to be its last, benefited from one of the biggest boosts in ratings ever caused by people recording a TV programme and watching it later. The series' penultimate episode, broadcast on January 8, had an overnight audience of just six million in Britain. But consolidated ratings published, which include those who recorded the show and saw it later, bumped the figure up to 9.5 million.
BBC Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances
Paul Dempsey, BBC Worldwide president of global markets, said: "This survey demonstrates the love and affection audiences have for our shows around the world and those defining TV moments that get viewers talking, wherever they are." The research was carried out in the lead-up to the BBC Worldwide Showcase 2017 which takes place between February 19 and February 22. Sherlock, Hyacinth Bucket and the Vicar of Dibley are among the world’s most loved BBC television characters, a survey has revealed. Here are the top 10 of the world’s most loved BBC characters and the most famous scenes.
Monty Python's funniest quotes Wed, October 14, 2015 Monty Python's 12 funniest quotes Play slideshow IG 1 of 12 Brian's mother: 'Now, you listen here! He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy!'
FAVOURITE BRITISH BBC CHARACTERS 1. Sherlock - 29.7 per cent
2. The Doctor - 17.6 per cent
3. Luther - 12.4 per cent
4. Basil Fawlty - 11.8 per cent
5. The Stig - 8.2 per cent
6. Patsy Stone - 8.1 per cent
7. Edmund Blackadder - 7.4 per cent
8. Hyacinth Bucket - 6.1 per cent
9. Vicar of Dibley - 5.8 per cent
10. The Daleks - 5.6 per cent
BBC David Brent's dance from The Office was voted among the top ten most iconic moments