Absence must make the heart grow fonder in the “most-favorite British comedy couple of all-time” Tellyspotting poll as Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry, two British comedy giants who haven’t been together for some 20 years, shocked the British comedy world by being voted as the favorite British comedy couple of all-time in landslide fashion for their work in A Bit of Fry & Laurie. Garnering over 75% of the vote, these former Cambridge Footlights members must be left wondering just what kind of boost this will give to their current careers.

After all, Hugh Laurie has only won two Golden Globe Awards, been nominated for four Emmy Awards for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series, won two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Television Critics Association Awards, not to mention a Teen Choice and a People’s Choice Award — all for his portrayal of Dr. Gregory House in House. This is all in the last five years. Before that, Laurie has had a brilliant career in film, comedy and drama and even voiced a character of a bar patron in an episode of Family Guy.

Stephen Fry, on the other hand, is an accomplished writer, film and television star, most recently, presenting Stephen Fry in America on public television stations nationwide, based on his book of the same name, has numerous television drama and comedy acting credits to his name (including the great short-lived series, Absolute Power), a recurring role in Bones and currently hosts the British panel show, QI, which is acknowledged as one of the most-watched entertainment shows on British television. Oh, yeah, he also has over 1 million followers on Twitter.

In recent months, Hugh Laurie has been rumored to be wanting to return to England at some point and team up with his old friend. Laurie recently told The People, “We’ll definitely be doing more Fry and Laurie,” he said. “We used to talk about doing something like a stage review. Stand-up comedy is a massive industry now but actual sketch comedy on stage I don’t think anyone is really doing that now, and that’s something we thought we would try and do.” Who knows, maybe the knowledge that they are now the people’s choice for most favorite British comedy couple of all-time will be the tipping point they need to move forward.

For those playing along at home with this inaugural Tellyspotting poll for favorite all-time British comedy couple, votes were received from 40 of the 50 United States in addition to votes worldwide from England, Canada, Germany, France, Italy and Russia. Thanks to everyone for voting and for your support of British comedy worldwide. We couldn’t do it without you!

In: Actors/Actresses,Comedy