GAZETTE & HERALD: Yes Minister star Derek Fowlds believes his comedy may be pipped at the post by Only Fools and Horses in the BBC Best British Sitcom finale on Saturday.

Mr Fowlds, who lives in Colerne, was star of the eighties political satire alongside the late Nigel Hawthorne and the late Paul Eddington from 1982 to 1986.

The series went on to become Yes Prime Minister and 40 episodes of the two shows were broadcast.

Three months ago BBC2 launched a competition to find out which was the public's favourite sitcom. Ten nominations were drawn up and each week a different celebrity has been making the case for their favourite comedy.

Yes Minister faces strong competition from Only Fools and Horses, Blackadder and Fawlty Towers among others.

Writer and comedian Armando Ianucci made the case for Yes Minister last month and on Saturday night the public vote will be revealed, counting down from ten to one.

Speaking from the Yorkshire Moors on the set of Heartbeat yesterday, Mr Fowlds said: "If I am honest I don't think we will win although it would be wonderful if we did. I think it is one of the cleverest British sitcoms ever written but it does not get enough exposure on the BBC. I think Only Fools and Horses will win, followed closely by Fawlty Towers."

Mr Fowlds said his personal favourite aside from Yes Minister was Open All Hours. He also thought Last of the Summer Wine should have been in the top ten because of its popularity for 27 years.

"I think they are all brilliant. It is difficult to choose between them. They are all about British social life covering the army, politics and religion."

A live show revealing the winner will be hosted by Jonathan Ross in BBC Television Centre on Saturday from 10pm and will be aired on BBC2.

Mr Fowlds said: "I will be in the audience and they will be counting them down from ten, so I just hope we don't come tenth.

"I am very excited about going down and I will see a lot of old friends. It will be a great night."

Mr Fowlds is urging the public to vote for Yes Minister in a last-minute attempt to come in the top five.