The Prodigy have been voted the best dance act of all time.

The ‘Firestarter’ group beat Daft Punk to claim the top spot in the poll, by dance music publication Mixmag, although they only won by a “handful of votes”.

Singer Keith Flint said: “To walk off a stage and feel like we smashed it – that’s the reward for us.

“But something like this is truly voted for by the people – and essentially we are nothing without them, so it feels awesome, and really respectful.”

Producer Liam Howlett added: “I’d like to think it’s because we kept it real man, because we always do our own thing and try our hardest.”

The group – completed by second singer Maxim Reality – are set to release their sixth album later this year, and have promised to preview new material when they play the UK’s Download festival in June, their only scheduled live appearance of the year.

Elsewhere in the poll, The Chemical Brothers came third, followed by ‘Insomnia’ group Faithless then Canadian DJ Deadmau5.

Mixmag top 20 dance acts of all time, reader’s poll:

1. The Prodigy

2. Daft Punk

3. The Chemical Brothers

4. Faithless

5. Deadmau5

6. Plastikman

7. Underworld

8. Fatboy Slim

9. Orbital

10. Moby

11. Leftfield

12. Kraftwerk

13. Pendulum

14. Depeche Mode

15. Justice

16. Basement Jaxx

17. Groove Armada

18. The Shamen

19. Above & Beyond

20. The KLF