There is something heartening about a nation arguing over comedy. Not politics, not interest rates, not whether the bins have been collected, but which funny show over the past 15 years has made us laugh, wince, recognise ourselves and perhaps feel a little less alone.

British comedy has always done more than provide punchlines. At its best it captures the rhythms of everyday life: the awkwardness, the humiliations, the tiny acts of kindness that somehow matter most.

Thank you to everyone who put together our poll to find Britain’s favourite modern comedy (take a bow senior writer David Craig) and all those who voted. The passion with which readers cast their votes and defend their favourites is a reminder that these programmes become woven into people’s lives.

They are watched on sofas, quoted in offices and school playgrounds and are revisited during difficult times and endlessly recommended to friends.

How fortunate we are that Ricky Gervais, whose After Life took the top spot, embraced the poll with such generosity and enthusiasm. What emerges from his conversation with Caroline Frost is how certain stories endure.

Gervais remains as sharp, self-aware and unexpectedly thoughtful as ever. And as he reflects, people responded to After Life because “everyone has been through something like it”.

Behind the jokes sits something recognisably human: grief, embarrassment, companionship and the struggle to keep calm and carry on. Which, when you think about it, is very British indeed.

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Radio Times cover featuring Ricky Gervais celebrating winning the RT Comedy Poll.

Ricky Gervais photographed exclusively for Radio Times by Ray Burmiston.

Also in this week’s Radio Times:

  • Johannes Radebe reflects on Strictly success and finding his feet on the West End stage.
  • Following the stage play written by James Graham, Joseph Fiennes now brings England football manager Gareth Southgate to life on screen.
  • Comedian Marcus Brigstocke pays tribute to the genius Miles Davis, who supercharged jazz.

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Authors

Radio Times editor Shem Law wears a shirt, tie and grey jumper. He is sitting at a wooden desk behind a sign saying "Editor" clasping his hands. There are other items on the desk, including a dial telephone and typewriter.

Shem Law is the brand editor of Radio Times, and the 20th person to hold that esteemed position in over 100 years. He wasn’t allowed a television growing up, but over the years he has rather overcompensated for that fact.