A new survey of the all-time great comedians has revealed the key to being a comedy legend. Die.

Nine of the funniest ten comics ever have all passed away, according to the new poll, with only John Cleese still alive.

Tommy Cooper, who died on stage in 1984, again topped the chart, followed by Eric Morecambe, Peter Sellers and Benny Hill.

Dawn French was the only woman to make the list, at number 19.

The poll of 4,400 people was conducted for chip-makers McCain, to publicise their sponsorship of Comic Relief.

The full list, below, comes as Channel 4 undetakes another poll to find the comedians’ comedians, to be unveiled by Jimmy Carr tonight.

1. Tommy Cooper
2. Eric Morecambe,
3. Peter Sellers
4. Benny Hill
5. John Cleese
6. Spike Milligan
7. Leonard Rossiter
8. Sid James
9. Tony Hancock
10. Peter Cook
11. Ken Dodd
12. Kenneth Williams
13. Ricky Gervais
14. Norman Wisdom
15. Vic Reeves
16. Peter Kay
17. Rowan Atkinson
18. Billy Connolly
19. Dawn French
20. Eddie Izzard