{"id":277899,"date":"2025-11-22T21:49:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T21:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/277899\/"},"modified":"2025-11-22T21:49:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T21:49:12","slug":"most-memorable-tv-moment-of-all-time-revealed-after-nail-biting-vote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/277899\/","title":{"rendered":"Most memorable TV moment of all time revealed after nail-biting vote"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s 45 years since it was shown – but the \u201cWho shot JR?\u201d episode of Dallas has been crowned the most iconic TV show moment of all time\"WhoWho shot JR? <\/p>\n

It’s been 45 years since it was shown, but the \u201cWho Shot JR?\u201d episode of Dallas has been crowned the most iconic TV show moment of all time.<\/p>\n

Pollsters quizzed the nation\u2019s most avid viewers, the over-55s, on their favourite small-screen moments that united the nation. Nearly four in ten UK viewers believe the world-famous \u201cWho Shot JR?\u201d episode of Dallas was the most memorable.<\/p>\n

The \u201cwho-done-it\u201d moment revealed who shot Texas oil baron JR Ewing, played by Larry Hagman. Some 21.6 million Brits out of a global audience of 350 million tuned in to discover that the culprit was JR\u2019s sister-in-law and mistress, Kristin Shepard.<\/p>\n

Joint second place in the poll, for Freeview channel Great TV, is the final Only Fools and Horses episode that saw the long-suffering Trotters finally achieve their dream of becoming millionaires.<\/p>\n

\"OnlyOnly Fools and Horses(Image: BBC)<\/p>\n

The \u201cTime on Our Hands\u201d finale that gave the Trotters their \u201chappy ever after\u201d was chosen by a third of viewers. It drew a 24 million audience when first aired by the BBC<\/a> in December 1996.<\/p>\n

Tied in second place is the more recent moment, when stunned postmistress Jo Hamilton watched her accounts changing on the Horizon computer during ITV<\/a>\u2019s 2024 Mr Bates v The Post Office.<\/p>\n

\"MrMr Bates v The Post Office(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n

Fourth place, chosen by a quarter of viewers, was the infamous 1986 Christmas<\/a> episode of EastEnders<\/a> when \u2018Dirty\u2019 Den Watts served wife Angie Watts divorce papers.<\/p>\n

Some 30 million people tuned in for the iconic scene between Leslie Grantham and Anita Dobbs before the soap opera\u2019s classic \u201cdoof, doof\u201d ending chimed in.<\/p>\n

Jed Mercurio\u2019s Line of Duty burst onto screens in 2012 before its highly captivating finale in 2021, chosen by a fifth of viewers left stunned by AC-12\u2019s long-awaited unmasking of gangster H.<\/p>\n

Other shows making the Top 10 included Gavin and Stacey, Coronation Street<\/a>, MA*H and Happy Valley<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"GavinGavin and Stacey(Image: BBC)<\/p>\n

Viewers aged 55 plus were asked to name their top three most iconic TV moments. The age group \u2013 which accounts for an audience of 20 million – spends the most time watching the box but feels the most ignored by today\u2019s producers.<\/p>\n

Great TV Marketing Director Kate Gartland said: \u201cFrom ‘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.<\/p>\n

\"AlanAlan Bradley hit by tram in Corrie(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cTelevision 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Top TV show moments<\/p>\n

1: Dallas \u201cWho Shot JR?\u201d reveal (1980)<\/p>\n

2: Only Fools & Horses \u201cTime on Our Hands\u201d (1996)<\/p>\n

2: Mr Bates v The Post Office – Horizon numbers doubling episode (2024)<\/p>\n

4: Den Watts serves divorce papers to Angie (EastEnders) (1986)<\/p>\n

5: Line of Duty finale (2021)<\/p>\n

6: MAS*H \u2013 Hawkeye\u2019s farewell to Trapper in series finale (1983)<\/p>\n

7: Happy Valley finale (2023)<\/p>\n

8: Gavin & Stacey 2019 finale (2019)<\/p>\n

9: Coronation Street: Hilda Ogden departure (1987)<\/p>\n

10: Coronation Street: Alan Bradley hit by a tram (1989)<\/p>\n

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok<\/a>, Snapchat<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, YouTube<\/a> and Threads<\/a>.<\/p>\n