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A poll has revealed the world’s most-loved British female characters, with some surprising results in different countries. In the BBC Worldwide survey, pollsters asked 8,000 people to name their favourite female British TV character and Sherlock’s Mary Morstan, who is played by Amanda Abbington, emerged as the unexpected winner.

Although a controversial choice, she topped the list in part thanks to Chinese votes. But there was also good news for fellow Sherlock character Mrs Hudson (Una Stubbs), Miss Marple, Elizabeth Bennet – and even a consolation prize for social climber Hyacinth Bucket (Bouquet) from Keeping Up Appearances.

Downton Abbey’s popular Dowager, played by Dame Maggie Smith, finished seventh overall.

A delighted Amanda said: “This is brilliant! Thank you for rating Mary Morstan your number one! That makes me very happy.

“I love Mary and I loved bringing her to life. She was a complicated, fun, dangerous, beautifully scrappy character to play and though she is no more, Long Live Mary Morstan!”