JOHN INMAN'S camp cry "I'm free" is the greatest comedy catchphrase of all time, an expert claimed yesterday.

The 1970s slogan from BBC sitcom Are You Being Served was named by author and comedy historian Robert Ross.

"Don't mention the war," uttered by John Cleese in a Fawlty Towers episode, is second in a list compiled to mark the release of classic comedies in the BBC Radio Collection.

Inman, who played gentlemen's outfitter Mr Humphries in the department store series, would pipe up with his phrase whenever his name was called.

The phrase helped the show to become a cult hit around the world and made it Inman's most famous role.

In third place is "I don't believe it", from One Foot in the Grave, and fourth is Del Boy's "you plonker", from Only Fools and Horses.

In fifth place is "You stupid boy", from Dad's Army; sixth is "I didn't get where I am today," from The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin; seventh is "You dirty old man", from Steptoe and Son; in eighth place is "Stop messin' about", from Hancock's Half Hour; ninth is "Shoulders back lovely boy", from It Ain't Half Hot Mum; and in tenth position is "I hate you Butler", from On the Buses.