5. Basil Fawlty - Fawlty Towers
Proof if ever it were needed that comedy fans love to watch their heroes have a nervous break-down every episode. Basil was a walking, talking explosion waiting to happen, and the simple set up of Fawlty Towers, which enjoyed far too short a run at just a dozen episodes, was to watch his spring get steadily wound tighter and tighter. He might have appeared a wholly unlikable character, but Basil was a cruel victim of circumstances and nothing was ever his fault, and the over-exasperated manner in which John Cleese brought the character to life was one of the real joys of the sitcom age.
4. Barney Stinson- How I Met Your Mother
Coming in at number four on the list is Barney Stinson, the serial womanizer. He is considered the breakout character from the show and responsible for much of the show's success. He is most well known for his love of suits and women who have daddy issues. He is always on hand too to chip in his opinion on what the others are talking about, even if he is not asked for it. Due to his love for women, he has devised a series of laws and rules on how to successfully meet, date and get rid of women. Neil Patrick Harris convincingly pulls off this role which makes us really wonder how he can be gay in real life while pulling off this great, loveable, sleeze of a character.
3. Father Ted Crilly- Father Ted
Ted was sent to Craggy Island as a punishment, which is often referred to in the show as "that Lourdes incident," where he absconded with a large amount of charity money, though he maintains the money was "just resting in his account." He is a mature character, occasionally trapped in ridiculous and childish situations, and it is his dynamic with the other two priests sharing his house - Fathers Jack and Dougal - that really packs the impact. Ludicrously, Ted is cast as the father-figure to these two man-children and it's only when we see him in normal situations that we realise he is just as ill-suited as they are.
2. Del Boy Trotter- Only Fools and Horses
Del Boy is fond of get rich quick schemes and wheeling and dealing out of his iconic bright yellow Reliant Regal. Over the years he became a stereotypical Yuppie who often tried to associate with the upper class while himself being very much lower class. Despite this he has an eternal optimism about him, which forces people to believe in him. He is the archetypal under-dog, strengthened by his interminable spirit and by his star-gazing aspirations to be a millionaire - though naturally, the minute he and his brother found it, it was lost again. Another of life's great losers, and brought to life brilliantly by a real comedy legend in David Jason.
1. Larry David- Curb Your Enthusiasm
Larry David stars as a fictional version of himself- following him through semi-retirement as a television writer. He often finds himself in awkward situations due to his strong belief in his principles, though he will often bend them to suit his own needs. His tactless attitude has also found the term "a Larry David moment" entering into real life conversation. The joy of the character comes from Larry David's performance, and the joyful knowledge that the character is based on a lot of truths. A worthy winner. Did we miss any of your favourite sitcom characters? Share your own picks in the comments section below.