Great UK Comedies from 1980 onwards Quiz

Answer: Phoenix Nights

Refreshingly devoid of any canned laughter, "Phoenix Nights" features beautifully observed characters like resident DJ Ray Von, useless doormen Max and Paddy, and classic pub liar Kenny amongst its quality ensemble.

Answer: Only Fools And Horses

So many classic episodes to choose from. Who can forget Del, Rodney and Grandad's famous chandelier shattering scene? or Rodney crawling through a pond to capture a rare and valuable butterfly? or Uncle Albert trying to get compensation for "falling down a hole" in the pub? Whatever, this will remain an all time classic for many years to come.

Answer: Men Behaving Badly

This was a hilarious show which sadly lost the plot a little after Tony actually succeeded in getting together with Deborah. However, series 1 (with Harry Enfield as Dermot instead of Neil Morrissey as Tony) to series 5 were packed with some of the funniest episodes of a comedy programme you are likely to see. "Men Behaving Badly" was also remade for a US audience in the guise of "It's a Man's World" and flopped dismally.

This was as ludicrous as remaking "Fawlty Towers" if you ask me - every American I've met who had seen the British version of the show loved it, so why on earth the authorities decided a US audience "wouldn't understand it" is beyond me.

The fact that the makers of the American version were asked to tone down the language and content - the very essence of the show - is akin to remaking "The Exorcist" with glove puppets.

Answer: Father Ted

Portrayed by the sadly missed Dermot Morgan, Father Ted himself is a scheming, smoking, lazy and fame hungry priest. His two colleagues are no better - Father Jack just sleeps and shouts random words such as "Drink!", "Girls!" and others that I couldn't possibly quote on a family website, and Father Dougal, who has the intelligence of a small ant.

Answer: The Office

Understandably credited with being one of the best of the modern crop, "The Office" also won the "South Bank Show" award for "Best comedy of the year". Ricky Gervais is excellent as Brent, and the supporting cast are outstanding in their roles too. Mackenzie Crook as the hapless jobsworth Gareth is probably the pick of the bunch, right from the first episode where he gets rather upset about his stapler being set in jelly by sales rep Tim!

Answer: The Young Ones

Rik Mayall (Rik) and Ade Edmonson (Vyvyan) went on to star in the successful show "Bottom", and Nigel Planer (Neil) appeared with the pair in "Filthy Rich and Catflap" not long after "The Young Ones" and more recently "The Grimleys". Surprisingly, when you see repeats of this comedy, you realise what a fantastic and hilarious character Mike (Christopher Ryan) was. Ryan has had several guest appearances on shows such as "Absolutely Fabulous", "Only Fools and Horses", "One Foot In The Grave" and "Doctor Who" amongst others.

Answer: The League of Gentlemen

The name of the village, "Royston Vasey" is actually the real name of the fat, crude Northern comedian "Roy 'Chubby' Brown"!

Answer: Blackadder Goes Forth

Probably the silliest series of the much acclaimed programme, of which my favourite ridiculous quote would have to be "We're in the stickiest situation since Sticky the stick insect got stuck on a sticky bun"!

Answer: Alan Partridge

Alan is full of ideas of how to secure himself another series, much to the bewilderment and contempt of the BBC boss he is trying to impress. His finest attempts would have to be "Inner City Sumo" - according to Alan, "You simply get fat people from the inner cities, put them in nappies and make them fight each other. Could be done in a pub car park" or even "Monkey Tennis"!

Answer: Spaced

Simon Pegg, who plays Tim, was the creator of this show. He has been quoted as saying that when he wrote it, the idea was to be a cross between "The Simpsons", "X-Files" and "Northern Exposure". This comes across very effectively by way of paying homage to the movies, the unexplained and using dreams and "what if" sequences respectively.