Del Boy’s “Lovely Jubbly,” Homer Simpson’s “D’oh,” and “Say What You See” from Catchphrase—A New Survey Names the Most Memorable TV Phrases of All Time.
In a nationwide survey conducted by Sky TV, British viewers have revealed their all-time favourite TV catchphrases, showcasing a mix of nostalgia and modern classics.
Leading the pack is Del Boy’s “Lovely Jubbly” from Only Fools and Horses, favoured by 37% of respondents, followed by Homer Simpson’s internationally beloved “D’oh” from The Simpsons (25%).
Timeless Classics and Modern Gems
Other nostalgic entries include “Here’s one I made earlier” from Blue Peter (24%) and Joey Tribbiani’s flirtatious “How you doin’?” from Friends (22%).
However, contemporary hits are making waves, with lines like “Yes Chef!” from The Bear and “Be honest!” from the Beckham documentary earning spots on the list.
Even “I am a faithful” from the BBC’s The Traitors (15%) and “Give over!” from Sky’s Brassic (12%) are now firmly embedded in the cultural lexicon.
Phrases That Shape Conversations—and Annoy Friends
Almost four in ten Brits confess they can’t resist slipping TV catchphrases into everyday conversations, with the average person doing it about ten times a month.
And here’s the kicker—40% admit they’ve quoted lines from shows they’ve never even seen! It just goes to show how much TV influences the way we chat and bond with each other.
But let’s face it, it’s not all “lovely jubbly”—more than half of us admit our nonstop quoting can really push the limits of our loved ones’ patience.
Sky TV’s Interactive Celebration
Sky TV is tapping into this cultural trend by adding iconic catchphrases to its voice control system. Just say “Be honest,” “Give over!” or “Winter is coming” into your Sky Glass or Sky Stream remote, and voilà—you’re instantly taken to the shows that made them famous.
Ben Case, Managing Director at Sky TV, says, “TV makes up a big part of our cultural identity, with many modern and classic lines from shows finding their way into our vocabulary and social media feeds.
85% of us say we’ve used a quote from a TV show in conversation, demonstrating the real power of TV in shaping the zeitgeist.
We’re celebrating this by adding some of the most iconic phrases to our Sky TV voice control glossary, so viewers can find the shows they’re from in a new, fun way.”
Britain’s Love Affair with Television
The study also sheds light on British TV-watching habits, with the average Brit clocking 4.5 hours of screen time daily. Drama (62%), comedy (54%), and thrillers (48%) top the list of favourite genres.
True crime, documentaries, and even horror have loyal followings, with most people preferring to watch in the comfort of their living rooms.
Nearly two-thirds (63%) believe some shows are timeless, with 48% admitting they’ve rewatched their favourite series an average of nine times.
| TV Phrase | Show | Popularity (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Lovely jubbly | Only Fools and Horses | 37% |
| D’oh | The Simpsons | 25% |
| Here’s one I made earlier | Blue Peter | 24% |
| How you doin’? | Friends | 22% |
| Gladiators ready | Gladiators 2024 | 19% |
| I am a Faithful | Traitors | 15% |
| Get outta my pub! | Eastenders | 14% |
| Sent from iPhon | Baby Reindeer | 14% |
| You’re fired! | The Apprentice | 12% |
| Give Over! | Brassic | 12% |
| Be honest | Beckham | 12% |
| Live long and prosper | Star Trek | 11% |
| Winter is coming | Game of Thrones | 10% |
| I think I love you | Love is Blind | 10% |
| Yes Chef! | The Bear | 9% |
| Soggy bottom | Great British Bake Off | 9% |
| I’ve got a text | Love Island | 9% |
| Oh fwends | Inbetweeners | 9% |
| I’m the daddy | I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here | 9% |
| Dearest gentle reader | Bridgerton | 8% |
| Deal or no deal? | Deal or No Deal | 8% |
| Xoxo | Gossip Girl | 8% |
| No war so bloody as a war between dragons | House of the Dragon | 7% |
| Keep Dancing | Strictly Come Dancing | 7% |
| Lady of the house speaking | Keeping Up Appearances | 7% |
| Say what you see | Catchphrase | 7% |
| Bazinga! | Big Bang Theory | 7% |
| Et Voila! | Emily in Paris | 6% |
| Please don’t cry on the chocolate | Great British Bake Off | 6% |
| Sweetie, darhling | Absolutely Fabulous | 6% |
As winter sets in, these viewing habits are bound to intensify, with a staggering 92% declaring that nothing beats settling down to watch their favourite programs.
TV personality Gyles Brandreth, Sky TV’s self-appointed Sofa Critic, sums it up: “I love this new addition to the Sky voice control feature.
It brings such fun to my viewing experience! As my anticipation builds for my evening programme, I can really get into character as I huskily growl into my remote control… ‘Winter is coming…’ and the full Game of Thrones collection is brought up on my Sky Glass TV! Slippers at the ready, I delve into another great night of entertainment.
“Television has become a central part of time with our loved ones; we have created TV rituals, it fuels talking points in our everyday chatter, at dinner parties and on social media.
Hearing David Beckham call out Victoria with his little Be honest around the door on the Beckham documentary was such a moment on TV this year, and look at what happened – it blew up on social media. They are selling ‘my dad has a Rolls Royce’ t-shirts in Camden market – these little moments catch like wildfire!”
As TV lines continue to weave themselves into our language and humour, it’s clear they hold a unique power to connect us—whether we’re shouting “Yes Chef!” in the kitchen or chuckling at Del Boy’s eternal optimism.