Peggy and Phil Mitchell are the public's most-loved mother and child duo in a UK soap.

Dame Barbara Windsor

Dame Barbara Windsor

A poll has found the iconic duo - played by the late Dame Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden - are the most popular combination in the history of UK soaps, ahead of Blanche Hunt and Deirdre Barlow in 'Coronation Street'.

Harry Lang - the marketing director at Buzz Bingo, which conducted the poll -  said: "It’s hard to believe this is the second Mother’s Day that we’re unable to spend with our mums. But there is hope on the horizon that we may soon be able to meet again.

"To celebrate all that is motherhood whilst we await those reunions, we wanted to shine a light on the famous mother and child relationships in soaps that the nation loves."

Barbara passed away in December at the age of 83 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, and Steve previously played a glowing tribute to his on-screen mum.

He said: "I truly loved Barbara and, like everyone, I am going to miss her terribly.

"When anyone ever asked what she was like, I would always say she was everything you would hope she would be, and more."

Meanwhile, other popular combinations among Brits included Deirdre and Tracey Barlow, Beth and Craig Tinker, and Liz and Steve McDonald - all of whom entertained viewers of 'Coronation Street'.

Vera and Terry Duckworth - who starred on the ITV soap - are listed in sixth place, while the remaining spots on the list feature a number of 'EastEnders' characters, including Kat and Zoe Slater, Bianca Jackson and Tiffany Butcher, and Zainab and Syed Mahmood.

In fact, the only non-'Coronation Street' or 'EastEnders' duo to appear in the top ten is Charity and Debbie Dingle from 'Emmerdale'.