Top 10 Final Episodes in British TV Shows

This award-winning sitcom about teenage angst, awkwardness and embarrassment ended on a definite high. When Simon learns he’s moving to Swansea, he and his friends celebrate by going camping. Unsurprisingly, things don’t go to plan, with the trip marred by an STD, a bout of food poisoning, and an unfortunate end to Simon’s famous car. An episode stacked with memorable one liners and razor sharp writing, it ends the coming-of-age chaos with a hefty helping of the show’s distinctive crude humour.

This ‘90s fan favourite follows the mishaps of the perpetually bad-tempered Victor Meldrew as he sets about annoying – and being annoyed by – anything and everything. So, for the show’s finale, Meldrew dies in a hit-and-run accident. And while unceremoniously killing the main character might seem like a poor way to end a comedy, viewers generally gave the episode the thumbs up, with “UKTV Gold” describing it as a “suitably downbeat end to an equally downbeat man”. Such was Meldrew’s popularity, however, fans marked his passing by leaving flowers at the location of his on-screen death. We don’t believe it!

James Corden once revealed that he and Ruth Jones cried when they finished writing the script to this sitcom’s finale. You can't blame them, really. Because it all kicks off. Stacey reveals she’s pregnant at last, and we finally get a resolution to Nessa and Smithy’s “will-they-won’t they” relationship, as Smithy interrupts Nessa and Dave’s wedding. That moment when Smithy bares his soul while holding his son in his arms is one of the emotional highlights of the show, with critics praising its warmth, honesty and humour.

The epic finale to this spy drama was hailed by critics as “brilliant” and “a tour de force”. The episode features its usual mix of thrilling action and tense interrogations, as Section D tries to prevent a terrorist attack by a Russian nationalist. But the final installment’s true success lies in its character moments, in particular the shocking conclusion to the Harry-and-Ruth storyline. There’s even time for a cameo from Matthew Macfadyen’s Tom Quinn – arguably the best – or at least most loved – character from any of the ten series of the show.

We Brits love our brilliant-if-grumpy detective types, so we were tempted to include the on-screen end for David Jason’s Jack Frost. But instead, we’ve gone for the crossword-loving Inspector Morse’s swan-song, as he revisits an unsolved case following the receipt of an anonymous letter. But the seriously ill inspector knows his days are numbered, and the strongest scene of this episode comes as he contemplates his own mortality with Lewis. It all also serves as a worthy tribute to the Morse actor John Thaw, who himself passed away just over a year later.

The much-anticipated conclusion to this crime drama packed more revelations into one episode than most shows manage in an entire series. Most notably, we learn that the Ashes world is a sort of purgatory, and that DCI Gene Hunt is a guardian to troubled dead cops as he helps them achieve redemption. With excellent acting and impeccable pacing, the emotional hits keep coming as Gene first bids goodbye to his colleagues, then heads back to the office to welcome the next lost soul to his team.

Ignoring the underwhelming “revival” in 2001 and focusing on the original end to this classic sitcom, this episode had it all - from the awkward comedy of Del Boy meeting his in-laws, to the touching moment when he helps Rodney deal with a heartbreaking loss. But the crowning moment comes when a pocket-watch in the Trotters’ garage proves to be worth rather more than the wheeler-dealer brothers had expected. For a truly feel-good ending, these iconic characters walk off into a cartoon sunset finally as millionaires.

In this police drama with a twist, 21st-century copper Sam wakes up in the 1970s after a car accident. Not knowing whether he’s dreaming or in a coma, he spends two series wanting to return to his old life. Yet when he finally does, he realises he misses what he left behind. So he takes drastic steps to return to Annie, Gene, and his other friends back in the ‘70s. It isn’t often an episode leaves you feeling sort of positive about a character’s suicide, but this show somehow achieves the impossible.

The ending to this mockumentary sitcom won almost universal acclaim from viewers and critics, as the Wernham Hogg Christmas party offers a number of stand-out moments. First, David Brent opens up about his failings to blind date Carol, suggesting he is finally learning some self-awareness. Then he gets around to putting Finch in his place, after Finch’s spiteful joke at Carol’s expense. But best of all, the Tim-and-Dawn storyline rounds off, with the couple finally giving us the kiss we’ve been waiting for since the very first episode.

It had to be, didn’t it? The finale to this World War I trench sitcom is not just one of the best TV endings, but one of greatest TV moments of all time. The episode begins with typically black humour, as Blackadder tries to get himself sent home on insanity grounds. When that fails, though, the jokes dry up as he is forced to lead his men over the top. And not even one of Baldrick’s plans can prevent the inevitable. Ultimately, it’s a poignant and devastating tribute to the tragedy of the Great War, leaving the viewer with a true sense of sadness and loss.