As the BBC cop drama Life on Mars came to a dramatic climax last night “Don’t move, you’re surrounded by armed bastards” has been named as Gene Hunt’s best ever one-liner.

The quote polled 28 per cent of the votes beating other memorable lines such as “He’s got fingers in more pies than a leper on a cookery course” (22 per cent) and “You’re as nervous as a very small nun at a penguin shoot” (15 per cent).

Hundreds of Auto Trader readers took part in the poll, which saw the line “You so much belt out of line and I’ll have your scrotum on a barbed wire plate” coming last.

The series came to an end this week, in a thrilling but ambiguous climax.

Life on Mars has become a cult hit, with viewers tuning in for Hunt’s – played by Phil Glenister – politically incorrect policing and the array of retro motors.

The show – which won an International Emmy – is set for a remake stateside, following the likes of The Office and Top Gear.

Full list:

1. Don’t move, you’re surrounded by armed bastards – 28 per cent
2. He’s got fingers in more pies than a leper on a cookery course – 22 per cent
3. You’re as nervous as a very small nun at a penguin shoot – 15 per cent
4. Anything happens to this motor, I’ll come round your houses and stamp on all your toys. Got it? Good kids – 9 per cent
5. There will never be a woman Prime Minister as long as there’s a hole in my arse – 8 per cent
6. (Sam to Gene) She’s as good a detective as anyone here (Gene to Cartwright) Fair enough, see if you can detect me a nice pack of garibaldis - 7 per cent
7. Your son Mrs. Bathurst was a cold-hearted killer and if there’s a hell, he’s going there to be poked up the arse with sharp fiery sticks forever and ever, Amen – 5 per cent
8. Murderers do not play tennis – 3 per cent
9. (Sam to Gene) How does your wife put up with you? (Gene) It must be my legendary prowess as a lover – 2 per cent
10. You so much as belch out of line and I’ll have your scrotum on a barbed wire plate – 1 per cent