Sherlock named nation’s favourite TV theme tune in poll

It should have been elementary, but after some sleuthing all the evidence pointed to one thing: Sherlock has been crowned the nation’s favourite television theme tune.

The results were announced on Saturday at a special event hosted by Radio Times film editor and Classic FM presenter Andrew Collins and award-winning composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall, following a poll conducted by Radio Times magazine, the BFI and Classic FM.

Dr John Watson played by Martin Freeman (left) and Sherlock Holmes played by Benedict Cumberbatch (right) in Sherlock. Photograph: BBC/Hartswood Films/PA

Michael Price, one of the composers of the Sherlock theme tune, said: “Being a part of a TV show like Sherlock, which has reached so many people, is a genuinely humbling experience. Thanks hugely to all the Radio Timesreaders who voted for it – I can only apologise to everyone else who wanted their favourite to win. I voted for Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em.”

Collins said: “I’m not surprised that Sherlock’s dedicated followers turned out en masse to support their favourite show, and it really is a stirring piece of work, folding Victoriana into a more modern rock-style tune.”

Sherlock beat the 1963 theme for Doctor Who, composed by Delia Derbyshire and Ron Grainer into second place, while Robin of Sherwood came in third.

Jodie Whittaker, Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill and Bradley Walsh in Doctor Who. Photograph: Simon Ridgway/BBC

Goodall told the Guardian: “A great TV theme has you humming it after the first episode. Whether it’s a bespoke tune by an eminent contemporary composer or an existing piece that becomes instantly embedded with the atmosphere of the show itself.

“Who doesn’t feel uplifted by the Match of the Day theme? That’s because it was specially written for a particular job and for a particular audience. It’s the complex cousin of an advertising jingle: it sells Doctor Foster or Black Beauty or Sherlock. The art of persuasion in 40 seconds.”