The 40 best TV shows

So you think you're a TV connoisseur? See how many of these shows you're familiar with.

Experts have drawn up a list of the 40 all-time great programmes of the last half-century, shows which any self-respecting TV aficionado really should have seen, from Abigail's Party to Z Cars.

The ultimate in essential viewing, the list spans everything from classic comedy to hard-hitting drama by way of soaps, bodice-rippers, nature documentaries and medical dramas.

"It's the connoisseur's guide to discerning TV," said Alison Graham, the Radio Times TV editor who managed to whittle the initial list down to a manageable number.

"I had an awful lot of weeding out to do," she said. "It's quite an emotional thing because TV viewing is quite emotional, whether you are a soap fan or you like your documentaries. You do get quite carried away. But it's a bit pointless if it gets beyond 40.

"Everyone has their own list of this type and I'm certain there will be lots of letters saying, where's Doctor Who or Star Trek?"

The list includes a substantial proportion of British classics, including Ken Loach's seminal drama Cathy Come Home, which caused a sensation when it was first screened in 1966. Monty Python's Flying Circus was equally ground-breaking, and John Cleese makes it in twice thanks to Fawlty Towers.

Drama series range from the Nineties epic Our Friends In The North and the bleak Edge Of Darkness to the classic 1995 adaptation of Pride And Prejudice, which had most of the nation in raptures-over the romance between Colin Firth's Mr Darcy and Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth.

The list delves as far back as 1956, with Hancock's Half Hour, and comes bang up to date with another comedy sending up the mundanity of life, Ricky Gervais's The Office.

Soap operas are not overlooked, with particular episodes singled out for praise. Great moments from Coronation Street - "a part of the TV landscape unlike any other programme ever has been or will be" - include newly widowed Hilda Ogden weeping over Stan's specs. And East-Enders' memorable week of dark revelations by the Slater family "give the lie to the general view that soaps are just schedule fodder".

The Ascent Of Man and David Attenborough's much-loved Life On Earth both make it in as excellent examples of science made exciting, and Sir Kenneth Clark's milestone history series Civilisation is honoured.

The strength of American TV is also recognised, with shows such as The Simpsons, Hill Street Blues and M*A*S*H on the list. And whose heart wasn't beating wildly when Dr Doug saved that child from the drain in ER?