After a nationwide vote, a television mystery from 45 years ago has been declared the most iconic TV moment of all time for British viewers. The legendary 'Who Shot JR?' episode of the American soap opera Dallas has taken the top spot, proving its enduring appeal nearly half a century after it first aired.
The Nation's Favourite TV Moments Revealed
Pollsters for Freeview channel Great TV specifically asked the nation's most dedicated viewers, the over-55s, to name the small-screen moments that truly united the country. This age group, which represents an audience of 20 million, spends the most time watching television but often feels overlooked by modern producers.
The results were decisive. Nearly four in ten UK viewers selected the world-famous Dallas cliffhanger as their most memorable TV event. The 'who-done-it' episode, which revealed who shot the notorious Texas oil baron JR Ewing, played by Larry Hagman, was a global phenomenon. An incredible 21.6 million Brits tuned in out of a worldwide audience of 350 million to discover the culprit was JR's own sister-in-law and mistress, Kristin Shepard.
Runners-Up and National Events
Sharing joint second place in the poll was the final episode of the beloved British comedy Only Fools and Horses. The 'Time on Our Hands' finale, which saw the long-suffering Trotters finally achieve their dream of becoming millionaires, was chosen by a third of voters. When the BBC first aired this happy ending in December 1996, it captivated an audience of 24 million.
Tied for the number two position is a much more recent dramatic moment. The scene from ITV's 2024 drama Mr Bates v The Post Office, where a stunned postmistress Jo Hamilton watches her accounts change on the Horizon computer, resonated deeply with viewers, highlighting the power of television to tackle real-world injustice.
In fourth place, chosen by a quarter of those polled, was the infamous 1986 Christmas episode of EastEnders. The scene where 'Dirty' Den Watts served his wife Angie Watts with divorce papers became a national talking point. Some 30 million people watched the iconic confrontation between actors Leslie Grantham and Anita Dobson before the soap's classic 'doof, doof' ending.
A Top 10 Packed with British Favourites
The fifth spot went to the highly captivating 2021 finale of Jed Mercurio's police drama Line of Duty, which left a fifth of viewers stunned by AC-12's long-awaited unmasking of the corrupt officer known as 'H'.
The remainder of the Top 10 list was filled with other cherished British programmes, demonstrating a rich history of quality television. The list included:
- M*A*S*H – Hawkeye’s farewell to Trapper in the series finale (1983)
- Happy Valley finale (2023)
- Gavin & Stacey 2019 finale
- Coronation Street: Hilda Ogden’s departure (1987)
- Coronation Street: Alan Bradley being hit by a tram (1989)
Kate Gartland, Marketing Director for Great TV, commented on the findings, stating: 'From 'Who shot JR?' to Del Boy's millionaire moment, these weren't just TV shows - they were national events that brought us together, showing the power of good telly.'
She added, 'Television is such an important part of life and provides some of our fondest memories, and our Great channels celebrate that with line-ups full of nostalgia and fan favourites.' The poll confirms that for British audiences, these iconic scenes are more than just entertainment; they are shared cultural landmarks.
