Best Christmas sitcom ever

The Office tops poll

The finale of The Office is the greatest ever Christmas special of a British sitcom, according to a new poll.

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchants’ 2003 two-parter resolved the will-they/won’t-they relationship between Dawn (Lucy Davis) and office worker Tim (Martin Freeman).

Gervais told RadioTimes.com, which conducted the survey: ‘I was blown away at the time by how it resonated with audiences and I’m over the moon that it’s still regarded with such affection today. A good idea is a good idea forever’.

No 2 in the poll was the Only Fools And Horses Christmas trilogy, including Heroes And Villains, where Del Boy and Rodney arrived at a wake dressed as Batman and Robin and Time On Our Hands, when they became millionaires.

Gavin & Stacey’s 2008 festive edition came third, followed by The Vicar Of Dibley. The full top 20 is:

1. The Office Christmas Special
2. Only Fools And Horses Christmas Trilogy
3. Gavin And Stacey Christmas Special
4. The Vicar Of Dibley: The Christmas Lunch Incident
5. The Royle Family Christmas Special
6. The Good Life: Silly but it’s Fun
7. Father Ted: A Christmassy Ted
8. The League Of Gentlemen: Yule Never Leave
9. Blackadder’s Christmas Carol
10. Dinnerladies: Christmas And Minnellium
11. Merry Christmas, Mr Bean
12. Miranda: I Do But To Who?/The Final Curtain
13. Peep Show: Seasonal Beatings
14. Mrs Brown’s Boys: Mammy Christmas/The Virgin Mammy
15. Steptoe And Son: A Perfect Christmas
16. Porridge: The Desperate Hours
17. Dad’s Army: My Brother And I
18. Knowing Me, Knowing Yule — With Alan Partridge
19. Last Of The Summer Wine: Getting Sam Home
20. Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em: Jessica’s First Christmas
21. Outnumbered: The Robbers