And French and Saunders have produced the best tonic of all - at least for people suffering anxiety and depression.

A new study has revealed people with anxious and depressive symptoms thought the comedy due were hilarious.

Volunteers were shown clips from four TV comedy shows, and researchers found those with psychological problems found it hard to laugh - except at French and Saunders.

	Lots of laughs: Eddie Izzard

Experts baffled

In the group as a whole, the pair got fewer giggles than Harry Enfield, Rab C Nesbit, and Eddie Izzard.

The findings have baffled experts behind the research. Dr Brian Bennett said: "Only 7 per cent of the group laughed at French and Saunders. Yet people with high somatic symptoms tended to laugh more at them than anyone else. I have no idea why this was the case."

The volunteers gave each comedy clip a 'laughter' rating out of 70. Overall Eddie Izzard got the highest score of 48, followed by Enfield, Rab C Nesbit and lastly French and Saunders.

Dr Bennett said: "I think we have to be careful in our use of laughter in therapy. Although studies have shown that laughter can have a positive effect on the immune system, emotions and stress, these effects might only occur in a psychologically healthy sample.

--from SkyNews