STOP me if you’ve heard this before – Billy Connolly and Peter Kay are the nation’s favourite funnymen.

They each scooped 30 per cent of the votes in a poll to tie for top spot. The survey also found that we now love sarcastic humour more than traditional slapstick. Ricky Gervais took third spot in the poll with 10 per cent, with wacky Lee Evans and deadpan Jack Dee completing the top five.

The poll, by Vimto, also found sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit but it’s what tickles our fancy.

Slapstick, on the other hand, falls flat on its face.

Some 72 per cent found sarcasm funny and 63 per cent enjoy “silly” jokes.

But a mere 35 per cent crack up at slapstick humour and only 38 per cent enjoy practical jokes, despite the popularity of TV shows such as MTV’s Jackass and the more mainstream You’ve Been Framed.

TOP 10 FUNNIEST COMEDIANS

1. Billy Connolly

= Peter Kay

3. Ricky Gervais

4. Lee Evans

5. Jack Dee

6. Frank Skinner

7. Alan Davies

8. Ross Noble

9. Rob Brydon

10. Ade Edmonson