BBC Radio poll reveals ‘the ultimate British group’

A poll of BBC Radio 2 listeners has revealed the public’s favourite British group, which pitted The Rolling Stones against The Beatles and Queen against Girls Aloud.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, The Beatles were crowned as the “ultimate British group” as the top 30 acts were announced.

Listeners’ favourite 30 UK acts were unveiled by the radio station on Friday (11 October), in an announcement that named The Beatles as the “ultimate British group”, along with the remaining top five.

The Liverpool-formed band topped the poll ahead of Queen, who came second, with The Rolling Stones in third, Pink Floyd fourth, and fifth-placed Fleetwood Mac, who qualified despite their American members, as the majority of bandmembers were born or lived in the UK, or held British citizenship.

Formed in 1960 by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, The Beatles are the best-selling music act of all time and remain one of the world’s most successful and influential groups.

With hits such as “Twist and Shout”, “Come Together”, “Hey Jude”, “She Loves You”, “Yesterday” and “A Hard Day’s Night”, the Fab Four achieved 18 UK No 1 singles and 16 UK No 1 albums.

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Other acts to place in the top 20 of the BBC Radio 2 poll included the Spice Girls, Blur, The Kinks, Led Zeppelin and The Who.

Oasis placed in the top 10 shortly after announcing their long-awaited reunion, which is taking place next year with a huge string of stadium tours.

Listeners voted from a shortlist of 54 bands active between the Sixties to the 2010s, put together by a panel including Radio 2 presenters Jo Whiley, Sara Cox, OJ Borg, Vernon Kay, Scott Mills, Trevor Nelson, DJ Spoony, and Owain Wyn Evans.

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The poll was organised in celebration of National Album Day and marked this year’s theme of Great British Groups. National Album Day 2024 takes place on Saturday 19 October.

Panel chair Jeff Smith, Radio 2 and 6 Music’s head of music, said: “We have absolutely loved seeing the Radio 2 listeners cast hundreds of thousands of votes for their ultimate British group, and this top 30 chart reflects some of music’s biggest selling, most loved and established British artists who have achieved incredible success globally across the decades.”

A special programme will air from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday 19 October as part of the BBC’s schedule, and is available now on BBC Sounds. Radio 2 will be playing exclusive British bands all day from 6am through to midnight.

The top 20 in full as voted for by Radio 2 listeners:

1. The Beatles

2. Queen

3. The Rolling Stones

4. Pink Floyd

5. Fleetwood Mac

6. Led Zeppelin

7. Take That

8. Coldplay

9. Oasis

10. Electric Light Orchestra

11. The Who

12. Depeche Mode

13. The Jam

14. Radiohead

15. The Smiths

16. Genesis

17. Pet Shop Boys

18. The Cure

19. Duran Duran

20. Madness.

National Album Day takes place on Saturday 19 October.

Additional reporting by Press Association