'Who thought a high functioning sociopath could be so popular?' Benedict Cumberbatch reveals his delight as Sherlock is voted the world's favourite BBC TV character
- Benedict Cumberbatch's character received 30 per cent of votes
- Doctor Who and Luther were also in viewers' top five
- The Daleks from Dr Who and Top Gear's The Stig made it into top ten
- BBC Worldwide surveyed 7,000 viewers in more than seven countries
The latest series may have left critics divided, but fans are still loyal to their favourite TV super sleuth, voting Sherlock to best-loved BBC TV character in the world.
BBC Worldwide surveyed 7,000 people in seven countries around the globe including Mexico and China and Benedict Cumberbatch's Baker Street detective came out on top.
Benedict Cumberbatch, who has played Sherlock for four series commented: 'I’m honoured to hear that my portrayal has been internationally recognised as viewers’ favourite BBC TV character.
'Who would have thought a high functioning sociopath could be so popular with people all over the world?'
Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock Holmes has been voted the most popular BBC TV character in the world by 7,000 viewers from across the globe
Peter Capaldi, who recently announced he's stepping down as Doctor Who, came second (left) while Idris Elba's Luther, a character he's keen to reprise, was voted in third place (right)
John Cleese's portrayal of manic hotel owner Basil Fawlty earned his character fourth place on the list
With almost 30 per cent of the vote, he easily beat off competition from his nearest rival Doctor Who, who received 17 per cent, and fellow investigator Luther who got 12 per cent.
Benedict Cumberbatch, who has played Sherlock for four series commented: 'I’m honoured to hear that my portrayal has been internationally recognised as viewers’ favourite BBC TV character.
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'Who would have thought a high functioning sociopath could be so popular with people all over the world?'
Dr Who was the runner up although viewers did not specify which of the 12 actors they favoured.
Current Doctor, Peter Capaldi, recently announced that the 10th series of the relaunched show would be his last after taking up the role in 2013.
Idris Elba's Luther has not been on TV since the fourth series ended in December 2015, but the star has hinted at both the possibility of a fifth series, as well as a big screen version of the gritty London detective drama.
Characters from classic shows which have long since ended were not forgotten either.
Rowan Atkinson's Blackadder, John Cleese's Basil Fawlty and Dawn French's Vicar of Dibley all making the top ten.
Sherlock came out on top when it came to viewers vote on the most iconic TV scenes.
Top Gear's mysterious Stig (left) came fifth while Joanna Lumley's outrageous Absolutely Fabulous character Patsy was sixth (right)
Rowan Atkinson's Blackadder was the seventh most popular with worldwide viewers (left) while Patricia Routledge's wonderfully snobby Hyacinth Bouquet came in eighth place (right)
Dawn French as Geraldine Granger in the Vicar of Dibley, the ninth most poular character in the world
Dr Who's Dalek enemies as a whole were voted in 10th place in the survey
The moment Sherlock supposedly falls to his death in The Reichenbach Fall episode at the end of season two was voted most iconic.
Classic comedy moments such as Monty Python's dead parrot sketch, which came second, the 'don't tell him Pike' moment from Dad's Army.
David Brent's dance in The Office also made the top ten.
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