12.8m saw final episode

The Vicar of Dibley was by far the most popular comedy of 2007 – with over five million viewers more than its nearest rival.

The New Year’s Day final edition was seen by 12.3million viewers on BBC One, or almost 45 per cent of the total viewing audience.

Second in the top 10 programmes was an edition of My Family broadcast in May, with 7.2million viewers.

Eight out of the top ten shows aired on BBC One, with the exceptions being Harry Hill’s TV Burp (ITV1’s top comedy) and Benidorm.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the list is predominantly mainstream and unchallenging, with even the 34-year-old Last Of The Summer Wine still making the top ten.

The 2007 comedy chart, so far, is:

1. The Vicar Of Dibley, Jan 1, 12.3million
2. My Family, May 11, 7.2m
3. The Green Green Grass, Nov 2, 6.4m
4. Harry Hill’s TV Burp, Feb 1, 6m
5. After You’ve Gone, Feb 16, 5.8m
6. Benidorm, Feb 1, 5.3m
7. Outtake TV, Nov 11, 5m
8. Ruddy Hell! It’s Harry And Paul, Apr 13, 4.8m
9. All New Just For Laughs, Jan 20, 4.5m
10. Last Of The Summer Wine, Sept 23, 4.5m

Published: 18 Dec 2007