Queen chosen greatest British band in BBC poll

Campy, over-the-top rock band Queen beat out the iconic Beatles in aNew Year's Day poll to determine the greatest British band of all time.

BBC radio polled British music lovers Monday to rank five beloved U.K. groups, which had been whittled down from a list of thousands of nominations.

Queen, led by frontman Freddie Mercury until his AIDS-related death in 1991, beat out the Fab Four by just 400 votes during the liveBBC Radio Two show Monday.

More than 20,000 fansvoted during the three-hour show. They includedcelebrity guests who dropped in to debate about their favourite acts.

McFly, for instance, logged their votes for Queen. Members of the boy band said they had been inspired by the flamboyant band, which was most popular during the 1970s and 1980s, and scored hitsincluding Bohemian Rhapsody and We Are the Champions.

Rock veterans Rolling Stones placed third, followed by bad-boy rockers Oasis and, finally, boy band Take That.

Organizers asked fans to judge each group using criteria including songwriting, originality, showmanship and live performances.

Votes were submitted by e-mail, text message and telephone.