TELEVISION viewers in York have named their perfect show.

A study compiled by BT has revealed ITV's Sunday teatime favourite Downton Abbey is the most popular show in the city, and comes closest to matching the broadcasting giant's perfect TV formula.

E4's The Inbetweeners, which follows the lives of four colourful schoolboys, was deemed the most unmissable TV by viewers in the city.

New research has found the most successful shows have a mix of 65 per cent drama, 12 per cent shocks and surprises, nine per cent comedy, eight per cent action and six per cent romance.

The top 25 most popular episodes were analysed by TV expert Boyd Hilton, and experts at Bournemouth University’s Media School for their makeup of drama, comedy, shocks and surprises, action and romance.

The findings reveal Sybil’s death in Downton Abbey’s season three, episode five was the episode closest to the unmissable formula.

What is your favourite TV show? E-mail letters@thepress.co.uk