46. Diana Trent - Waiting For God
Stephanie Cole was well-known for playing characters far older than herself, and the role of retired photojournalist Diana Trent, in Michael Aitkens' sitcom Waiting for God, was no exception. Cole was only forty-eight when filming begain, yet her portrayed of bitter-tongued Diana was utterly convincing. Trapped by health problems within a tedious existence in a retirement home for the elderly, Diana endures the daily idiocies of the business-minded manager and his sidekick Jane with venomous resignation. The arrival of Tom Ballard (Graham Crowden) gives Diana some much-needed stimulation, and the two wage war on Harvey and his bosses, improving conditions for their fellow residents in consequence, and finding mutual - if not exactly peaceful - companionship together.
47. Derek Trotter (Del Boy) Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses Del Boy is one of the most instantly recognisable characters from British television history. A fast-talking aspiring yuppie, prone to bending the truth, Del Boy runs Trotters Independent Traders (T.I.T.) out of the back of his yellow Reliant Regal. David Jasons charismatic portrayal made Del Boy a household name throughout the U.K, a generally comic character that occasionally showed moments of real emotion.
48. Major Tudor Shut Up Williams It Aint Half Hot Mum
This stereotypical drill sergeant character and actor Windsor Davies are a match made in comedy heaven, in the follow-up to Dads Army, It Aint Half Hot Mum. Fiercely patriotic, and slightly bigoted, the Sergeant Major is the only professional soldier amongst the ranks of a unit stationed in British India. Despite his ignorance and aggressive nature, Davies manages to make the charismatic character likeable as well.
49. Jonty de Wolfe Campus
Short-lived series Campus was to university as Green Wing was to hospitals hardly surprising, given the fact that they share a writing team. The show was sadly cancelled after only one season, but contains several memorable sketches and characters, not least the power-crazed vice chancellor Jonty de Wolfe (Andy Nyman), who almost makes Sue White of Green Wing seem sane and understanding.
50. Bertie Wooster Jeeves And Wooster
Adapted from P.G Wodehouses Jeeves stories, Jeeves and Wooster chronicles the relationship between intellectually superior butler Jeeves (Stephen Fry) and his foppish master Wooster (Hugh Laurie). Fry and Laurie make an unbeatable comedy combination, and with source material as strong as this theyre truly in their element. Although Laurie is now best known for his performance on Dr House, he was a household name in British comedy for many years previously, and this is amongst his best characterisations.
Honourable Mentions
Theres a lot of great British comedy that didnt make it into this list because its sketch based, and therefore has no recurring characters. So an honourable mention to Monty Pythons Flying Circus, Not the Nine O'Clock News, Brass Eye, A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Smack the Pony. There's also a lot of characters (such as BBC's Sherlock) who I find to be hilarious, but were excluded as their programmes aren't categorised as comedy. What do you think - did we miss any of your favourite British comedy character creations? Which would you vote as the greatest of all time? Share your thoughts below.