ShortList is supported by you, our amazing readers. When you click through the links on our site and make a purchase we may earn a commission. Learn more

The British public's favourite TV, music, films and people of 2017 - rated by us

Does popular always = good?

The British public's favourite TV, music, films and people of 2017 - rated by us
02 January 2018

So long 2017. Off into the sunset with 2016 and all of the other ones you go.

Lots of bad things happened, but also lots of good things, many of which were painstakingly covered in the many thousands of critics’ round-up lists during December (obviously, ours were the best).

But when it boils down to it, whose opinion matters the most? Who really decides what happens in the good ship Britain? Well, it’s good old, reliable, Joe Public, who actually can’t be relied upon for anything it seems, particularly toast, movie soundtracks and curry.

However, we’re stuck with them, and they gave us Brexit, which seems to be happening, so we’d better listen to what else they’ve got to say about 2017. Handily, YouGov have compiled the ‘best of’ lists, according to the great British public. 

Did they get it right? Let’s find out.

Fair play Britain, you cannot argue with Tom Hardy. Literally, he’d probably either knock you out or talk about his love of dogs, which would melt your heart and cause you to faint, which is a technical knockout.

Did Britain get it right, or at least not terribly wrong? YES.

Ah good old Dame Judi, what are going to do when she dies? Well, probably push Olivia Colman into first place, which would be fair enough. Also gotta love a bit of Sheridan Smith, while J-Law settles into a solid Arsenal-esque 4th.

Did Britain get it right, or at least not terribly wrong? YES.

Dunkirk was pretty ruddy great wasn’t it? The film, not the actual wartime event. That must have been pretty bad, lots of people died. Although ultimately good as it went well and very much helped us eventually win the war. So, overall, a ‘mixed bag’ you could say. Paddington 2, that’s just excellent all-round. Good to see Blade Runner 2049 in there, even if none of you bastards actually went to the cinema to watch it.

Did Britain get it right, or at least not terribly wrong? YES.

At last, this is more what we’re used to. You predictable lot. Adele did basically nothing in 2017 yet still gets third place because people don’t know any other musical acts (other than Ed Sheeran) and, of course, who else could be number one but big Ed himself, despite Divide actually being a pretty underwhelming listen containing the apocalyptically awful ‘G****y G**l’,  yet still destroying the singles chart and ruining Christmas too. The correct one, two, three, as eagle-eyed ShortList viewers will know should have been Carly Rae Jepsen, London Grammar and The Rhythm Method.

Did Britain get it right, or at least not terribly wrong? NO.

Now, I love a bit of Strictly, me, and I’m a Celebrity is always a bit of fun, especially with Ant making a welcome return to our screens. But the correct 1, 2, 3 are shockingly wasted down the list - obviously we’re talking about Love Island, First Dates and Gogglebox. If only out of respect for the passing of the GOAT Leon, that should have taken top spot. 

Did Britain get it right, or at least not terribly wrong? NO.

Number one: correct. Number two: correct. Schofe a bit low and a shocking omission of Richard Osman but yeah, OK guys this is alright. Oh yeah, Kem and Chris should be on there too, obviously.

Did Britain get it right, or at least not terribly wrong? YES, JUST ABOUT.

Well done the British public. I will never forgive you for the toast fiasco, but at least you have avoided a similar blunder here.

Did Britain get it right, or at least not terribly wrong? YES.

Ironically, due to his chronic inability to actually do anything apart from have arguments on Twitter and drink water in a strange way, Trump has probably actually had very little impact on the US, let alone the world, during his 12 months in charge. However, we get the point.

Did Britain get it right, or at least not terribly wrong? YES, FINE, FAIR ENOUGH.

That’s right guys, forget medical breakthroughs and the global advancement of gay rights, the best world development - yes, in the whole wide world - was Brexit.

Did Britain get it right, or at least not terribly wrong? NO.

Well would you look at that, a different 10% of the British public think that Brexit was the worst world development in 2017. It’s almost as if the country can’t make its mind up on it because it’s essentially a 50/50 split. Still, that definitely won’t play out in negotiations. Anyway, Trump = bad etc. etc. so he obviously takes the top spot while it’s actually quite amusing that ‘war, civil war, genocide and unrest’ is apparently only the sixth worst thing to happen in the world in 2017. Amusing in a way.

Did Britain get it right, or at least not terribly wrong? NO, BECAUSE GENOCIDE IS ACTUALLY QUITE A BAD THING IMHO.

(Main image: BBC, other images: YouGov)