The Simpsons named top cartoon

The Simpsons has eclipsed classics like Tom and Jerry to be named the greatest cartoon.

Matt Groening’s creation has topped a poll of 100 best cartoons voted for by TV viewers.

Homer, Marge, Bart, and Lisa beat Hanna Barbera’s Tom and Jerry to second place, and the more recent South Park to third.

It has been voted more impressive than Hollywood blockbusters Toy Story (4th), and Shrek, voiced by stars like Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz.

Bugs Bunny has made it to tenth place but other classics like Popeye (23), Danger Mouse (24) and Pinnochio (25) have been relegated by modern wonders like The Incredibles (9th) and Finding Nemo (14).

The characters of The Simpsons are named after Groening’s family.

They came about in 1986 when he was asked to create a few animated shorts for the Tracey Ullman Show.

The Simpson family had their own show on Fox three years later, becoming the network’s highest-rated show almost immediately, and attracting a host of guest star voices.

The 100 Greatest Cartoons are being revealed in a countdown programme on Channel 4 on Sunday at 8pm.

Top 50 of the 100 Greatest Cartoons

1. The Simpsons

2. Tom and Jerry

3. South Park

4. Toy Story/Toy Story 2

5. Family Guy

6. Shrek/Shrek 2

7. The Lion King

8. Spirited Away

9. The Incredibles

10. Bugs Bunny

11. The Nightmare Before Christmas

12. The Flintstones

13. The Iron Giant

14. Finding Nemo

15. Wallace and Gromit

16. Akira

17. Aladdin

18. The Ren and Stimpy Show

19. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

20. Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies

21. Princess Mononoke

22. Monsters, Inc

23. Popeye

24. Danger Mouse

25. Pinnochio

26. Beauty and the Beast

27. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

28. Beavis and Butthead

29. Spongebob Squarepants

30. Mickey Mouse

31. Dungeons and Dragons

32. Daffy Duck

33. Futurama

34. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

35. Sylvester & Tweetie Pie

36. Transformers

37. 101 Dalmatians

38. Charlie Brown

39. King of the Hill

40. Wacky Races

41. Samurai Jack

42. Ivor The Engine

43. Spider-Man

44. Pokemon

45. Inspector Gadget

46. Road Runner

47. 2DTV

48. Donald Duck

49. The Little Mermaid

50. Scooby Doo, Where Are You?