The climax of US comedy Friends has been voted TV’s biggest tearjerker.

The moment when Joey, Chandler, Ross, Monica, Rachel and Phoebe handed back their apartment keys was ranked the most emotional in TV entertainment.

EastEnders claimed the biggest share of places in the top 10 with four sob-laden entries in the poll.

Albert Square’s quartet of weepies were all deaths as Ethel, Jamie Mitchell, Bradley and Tiffany bowed out of the show.

The poll of 3,000 people – to mark the launch of Freeview HD – found Brits were a nation of weepers, with 91% admitting they had shed a tear while watching a favourite show.

Surprisingly, men were more likely to blub in front of the box than their female counterparts. The poll found that 60% of women enjoy a regular cry while watching TV, with 79% of men saying they cried once a week.

The most emotional sporting moment was Gareth Southgate’s missed penalty in Euro 96, with Jonny Wilkinson’s last-gasp dropgoal to clinch the 2003 Rugby World Cup in second.

Ilse Howling, of Freeview, said: “When the football World Cup kicks off, up to 50% of the UK will have access to subscription-free HD programmes – but this time I hope there will be tears of joy.”

TOP TV MOMENTS

1. Friends – Handing back the keys

2. Blackadder Goes Forth – Final scene

3. EastEnders – Bradley’s death

4. EastEnders – Ethel’s death

5. The Royle Family – Death of Nana

6. ER – Death of Dr Mark Greene