Peter Kay is the funniest man alive, according to Chortle readers.

The star of Channel 4's award-winning Phoenix Nights has topped our poll of the greatest living comics.

Eddie Izzard was beaten into second place, with Billy Connolly third, closely followed by The Office's Ricky Gervais.

Visitors were also asked to name their favourite dead comics, with Bill Hicks, left, topping that poll.

Goon show genius Spike Milligan came second, just days before the first anniversary of his death on February 27, closely followed by Peter Cook.

However, not one of the 20 names in the two lists, compiled from almost 800 online votes, is female.

The poll comes ahead of the site's awards for live comedy, to be announced at a London ceremony hosted by Barry Cryer and Julia Morris on Monday. Click here for the nominees.