"The first brilliant episode of 'The Vicar of Dibley' was shown in 1994 when it wasn't just a delightful comedy but a piece of cutting edge social satire. Casting a woman in the role as the vicar of Dibley wasn't just a piece of inspired whimsy. It was actually in support of the idea that women vicars were a good thing".

"'The Vicar of Dibley' stands alone in that at its heart it's about the struggle to be good, to be tolerant and patient and still be funny…and that's not easy. But it never gets overly sentimental. There's a dash of whisky in the bedtime drink, a suspender belt under the cassock".

"Geraldine Granger is a fantastic comic creation - and she's played by one of the greatest comic actors Britain has ever produced. But she's not the only star, not by a long chalk. As the verger on the ridiculous, Emma Chambers plays the fool so joyously she gives us a sitcom idiot like no other. And the rest of the Parish Council regulars are also played to perfection".

"For a sleepy, no horse backwater, Dibley has a guest list more glittering than the Baftas - what other sitcom could bring you Johnny Depp, Sean Bean - and Kylie"?

About the Advocate
Carol Vorderman is a television presenter and mathematician, best known as co-host of quiz show 'Countdown' and host of the 'Better Homes' and 'Better Gardens' series.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

Excellent. One of the best comedy shows. Why cant we get more like it written today?
- Alan S., G.B.

The Vicar of Dibley is naughty but nice, hilarious but emotional. The show gave actors and actresses their big break eg. Liz Smith went on to the Royal Family. If you don`t vote for Dibley then you're as mean as David Horton, as crazy as Jim Trott and as stupid as Alice Tinker.
- Steven G., U.K.

The Vicar of Dibley is the sitcom with the most absurd, bizarre and probably brain-dead characters in sitcom, but despite this we love them all, and enjoy a chuckle at their daft antics. Geraldine is the voice of sanity in Dibley, which is why we love her so much,she is human - she loves chocolate and hollywood hunks! Not only this but The Vicar of Dibley showed us that nice people can be funny too, not only moaning old men! So girl power for Gerry Granger. Is it the best sitcom? No, no, no, no, YES!
- Andrew, U.K.

After putting up such a good arguement, why did Carol Vorderman have to spoil it by slagging off other contenders such as The Good Life which is also a great sitcom? She ruined what had been a good programme and will probably have ruined it's chances.
- Tom, England