Beer-swilling, doughtnut-lover Homer Simpson has been named the greatest character created for television and film in the past 20 years.

Homer beat Harry Potter and vampire slayer Buffy to take top place in the survey by Entertainment Weekly.

Simpson's creator Matt Groening said millions of people were able to identify with Homer and his catchphrase "D'oh." "People can relate to Homer because we're all secretly propelled by desires we can't admit to," Groening was quoted by Entertainment Weekly as saying.

The Simpsons, broadcast in more than 90 countries, is the longest-running US TV series in prime time, now in its 21st season.

Harry Potter, created by British author JK Rowling was described as a "global icon" to take second place in the magazine's poll. The star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, came third in the list followed by Tony Soprano from HBO drama series The Sopranos and comic book villain the Joker played by late Australian actor Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight.

Rounding out the top 10 were Rachel from Friends, Edward Scissorhands, Hannibal Lecter, Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City and Spongebob Squarepants.

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