According to a new poll, the sitcom Porridge has been voted as the most popular TV show ever. A new YouGov poll asked adult members of the public about the most popular contemporary TV programmes, with fame and popularity determining who would come out on top. Porridge was ranked number one with a score of 87 per cent on fame and 66 per cent on popularity. In second place was Blue Planet II, which had 83 per cent on fame and also 66 per cent on popularity. Narrowly coming into third place is The Simpsons, which has a higher fame rating of 98 per cent but a popularity rating of 65 per cent.

In fourth place is ITV's The Chase, with an 89 per cent score on fame and 63 per cent on popularity. Fifth place is the crime drama Line of Duty, boasting a score of 82 per cent on fame and 62 per cent on popularity.

Porridge was an immediate hit with viewers, and it ran for three series until 1977. It debuted on BBC One in 1974 and featured Christopher Biggins, David Jason, Ronnie Barker, and Richard Beckinsale.

The opening credits are also famous for having no music. They are just images of slamming prison doors as a judge, also voiced by Barker, who booms: "Norman Stanley Fletcher, you have pleaded guilty to the charges brought by this court, and it is now my duty to pass sentence."

"You are an habitual criminal, who accepts arrest as an occupational hazard, and presumably accepts imprisonment in the same casual manner. We therefore feel constrained to commit you to the maximum term allowed for these offences - you will go to prison for five years."

Set within the fictional HMP Slade, Porridge gripped viewers at home with its clever writing, memorable characters, and above all, its interesting commentary about prison life.

Norman Stanley Fletcher (played by the legendary Ronnie Barker) is often joined by the strict prison officer Mr. Mackay (played by Fulton Mackay). One of the constant themes is their battle over authority, which results in brilliant comedy.

Porridge also tackles social and political issues within the confines of life behind bars. As well as being a comedy, the show often reflected class struggle and the grim reality of societal inequality.

The BBC show also got inspiration from real-life experiences and characters associated with the prison system. Fletcher was loosely based on the experiences of former prisoner John McVicar, who later became an author and a journalist after leaving prison.

You can read the full statistics on the poll here.