Father Ted Christmas special episode voted one the best of all time

Father Ted has been named as the one of the most popular ever comedy Christmas specials according to readers of the Radio Times.

A Christmassy Ted was the festive episode created by Irish writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews and it was first aired in 1996.

If you have never seen the episode, or need a reminder of what happened, it sees Fathers Ted, Dougal and Jack visit a department store to do their Christmas shopping.

Disaster strikes when Ted, and a posse of fellow priests he has gathered throughout the episode, get lost in the lingerie section of a department store.

Fearing the embarrassment of being seen by someone they know, Ted must lead the rabble to safety before any awkward meetings with members of their parishes can occur.

The episode is the stuff of legend amongst Father Ted fans and is remembered fondly for moments such as when viewers were first introduced to the ‘most boring priest in the world’ Father Austin Purcell.

“I have awful dreary monotonous voice God help me.”

A Christmassy Ted was the seventh favourite Christmas comedy special named by Radio Times readers.

Ricky Gervais’ The Office was named number one, followed by Only Fools and Horses in second and Gavin and Stacey in third.

Tim Glanfield of the Radio Times said: “A great Christmas sitcom lives long in the memory, as our list demonstrates the best have an equal measure of humour and emotion to keep the audience thoroughly entertained, tugging on the heart-strings and providing belly-laughs.”

More than 3,000 readers voted in the survey. Here is the top ten list from the votes for best comedy Christmas special.

Here is the top 20 comedy Christmas specials as voted for by readers of the Radio Times.

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

If you want a quick laugh, then take a look at this clip from the episode A Christmassy Ted. Still absolutely hilarious.

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