Monty Python's 'dead parrot' sketch nation's favourite

A model of a dead parrot at the first night performance of the Monty Python Show Live at London's O2 Arena. Credit: PA

Monty Python's "dead parrot" sketch has been named the nation's best loved routine by the comedy troupe.

The team, currently performing 10 sell-out farewell shows in London, were thought to be at their finest with the scene in which John Cleese tries to return a dead "Norwegian blue" parrot to a shop.

Second in the poll of 2,000 adults, commissioned to mark the screening on the final live show from the O2 Arena on TV channel Gold on July 20, was the Lumberjack Song, while the Ministry Of Silly Walks came third.

Steve North, general manager of Gold, said: "It's clear from our research that Monty Python has crossed the generations, 45 years on from the very first series."

The top 10 sketches are: