Parrot knocked from No.1 perch

It has ceased to be the greatest skit of all time. It is an ex-No.1.

Monty Python's Dead Parrot sketch has been knocked off its perch at the top of the comedy tree by the upstarts of Little Britain.

The nation's new favourite scene features wheelchair-bound malingerer Andy with his tireless helper Lou at the public baths.

Viewers see Andy race up the highest diving board and jump off while Lou tells a lifeguard that his friend will need lots of help getting in and out of the water.

Little Britain, the creation of David Walliams and Matt Lucas, claimed another place in the top five, with a scene featuring layabout Vicky Pollard, also in a swimming pool.

It marks an amazing rise to prominence for the show, which began life on radio before transferring to digital channel BBC Three.

Other shows to feature in the top 50, included The League of Gentlemen, Goodness Gracious Me, The Two Ronnies, The Fast Show and French and Saunders.

Channel 4 received 32,000 votes for the best of British sketches poll, screened last night.