The British public's favourite TV catchphrase has been revealed 📺
'Oh, What's Occurin?'
There’s not a much better feeling than getting home, curling up on the sofa, and binge-watching your favourite series on TV. It's no surprise that after watching these shows - and often rewatching our favourites - people start to pick up some of the character's catchphrases.
Many TV shows have some very iconic catchphrases that you just can’t get out of your head. Friends gave us Joey Tribbiani’s ‘How you doin?’ and ‘Oh! What’s occurin?’ came from the award-winning sitcom Gavin and Stacey and is now common in conversation.
Over the past few years, TV fans have been treated to a whole host of successful new comedies including This Country, Fleabag, Motherland, and Schitt's Creek. That’s in addition to the huge number of reality TV listings and dramas like that are on offer, including the hit series Line of Duty.
In a poll, it was revealed which catchphrases are the most popular. It said that we Brits favour classic, well-loved TV shows over newer releases. Think Miranda, Gavin and Stacey, and The Apprentice, to name just a few.
What is the UK's favourite TV catchphrase?
A survey of 2000 UK telly fans by Gala Spins revealed that Delboy’s phrase ‘Lovely jubbly’ from classic 1980s/90s sitcom Only Fools and Horses was the UK’s favourite, scoring over a third of the vote.
The iconic comedy featured twice in the top three, with ‘You plonker’ taking the third-place spot.
Other fondly-remembered comedies like One Foot In The Grave’s ‘I don’t believe it’ and The Vicar of Dibley’s ‘No, no, no, no, yes’ also scored highly.
What is the UK's favourite international show?
It will come as no shock to learn that US sitcom Friends was the highest-ranking International show amongst British viewers, with Joey’s famous chat-up line getting nearly one in five votes at 18% for favourite catchphrase.
Gavin and Stacey, which first aired in 2007 and returned in 2019 for a long-awaited Christmas special, was the newest show in the top ten.
Karina Adrian, Head of Brand Marketing and Partnerships at Gala Spins, said: "Brits love their TV, so it’s no surprise to see some iconic sitcoms and reality TV shows remembered so fondly by the public.
"It’s incredible to see how many of these classic shows have remained so popular after they first aired, which in some cases was decades ago."
Check out the Top 15 Catchphrases from British TV shows:
15) ‘Deal or no deal? - Deal or No Deal
14) ‘Exterminate!’ - Dr Who
13) ‘D’oh!’ - The Simpsons
12) ‘You’re fired’ - The Apprentice
11) ‘I’ve started so I’ll finish’ - Mastermind
10) ‘No, no, no, no, yes’ - The Vicar of Dibley
9) ‘Is that your final answer?’ - Who Wants to be a Millionaire
8) ‘Nice to see you, to see you nice’ - The Generation Game
7) ‘What’s occurin’?’ - Gavin and Stacey
6) ‘Yeah but, no but, yeah but’ - Little Britain
5) ‘How you doin’?’: Friends
4) ‘Am I bovvered?’: The Catherine Tate Show
3) ‘You plonker’: Only Fools and Horses
2) ‘I don’t believe it’: One Foot in the Grave
1) ‘Lovely jubbly’: Only Fools and Horses
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