Oscar Wilde is named the Brit with the greatest wit

So Oscar Wilde would probably not have been surprised to be named as Britain's greatest-ever wit.

The Victorian playwright – who even on his deathbed quipped: "Either those curtains go, or I do" – heads a list which seems certain to provoke strong opinions.

Alongside well- recognised humorists such as Spike Milligan and Noel Coward, the list also includes the television presenter Jeremy Clarkson and even the late football manager Brian Clough.

The survey of 3,000 comedy fans was commissioned by the new digital television channel Dave.

Wilde, who was born in Ireland but lived most of his life in London, gained 20 per cent of votes.

Just behind him came Milligan – also Irish – whose gravestone carries the message: "I told you I was ill".

scroll down for more

Television presenter and author Stephen Fry came in third.

Britain's fourth-greatest wit was declared to be Top Gear host Clarkson, whose famously politically-incorrect one-liners have won him legions of fans.

Clarkson – who lists 'smoking' as one of his recreations in Who's Who – gained eight per cent of the votes.

In fifth position was Winston Churchill, whose off-the-cuff putdowns-have passed into legend.

Accused by a female MP of being drunk, the wartime premier is said to have replied: "Madam, you are ugly. But in the morning I will be sober."

Perhaps the most surprising entries in the top ten belong to Brian Clough and Oasis lead singer Liam Gallagher.

Not previously noted for their literary abilities, both seem to have been chosen more for their blokeish sense of humour than anything else.

More than half those surveyed (57 per cent) thought that men are wittier than women, perhaps explaining why there are no female entries in the top ten.

However, many will be surprised at the identity of the woman declared to the funniest ever: Margaret Thatcher is at number 12 in the list, well ahead of comediennes Jennifer Saunders and Victoria Wood.

Nevertheless, the former prime minister delivered one of the best lines in British politics, saying: "Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't."