Only Fools and Horses' Sue Holderness blasts critics of 'controversial' episode (2024)

Only Fools and Horses star Sue Holderness has taken aim at those who have criticised a ‘controversial’ episode of the show.

The 75-year-old is best known for her role as Boycie’s wife Marlene Boyce in the sitcom, starring in the show from 1985 to 2003, and its spin-off The Green Green Grass from 2005 to 2009.

The series is regularly named as one of the most beloved British shows of all time, however Sue has said complaints about a particular episode are unfounded.

Airing in 1986, the episode From Prussia with Love followed Del Boy’s (David Jason) attempts to sell a baby born to a pregnant German woman to Boycie and Marlene.

However, at the end of the episode, the couple pulled out of the adoption after discovering the baby was mixed race.

Speaking on the Only Fools and Horses podcast this month, Sue said she didn’t see any issue with the storyline.

‘It’s a very controversial episode now because everybody’s being so careful about what they say about everything,’ she said.

‘There have been many people who have said they don’t want to see that episode anymore or suggested that maybe you shouldn’t see that episode.

‘But when I say many people, it’s probably about three.’

The actress added that at the time the episode was released ‘nobody was offended’ and that it was a ‘moving episode’

She also discussed the series’ legacy and why it still stands the test of time.

‘Very little in Only Fools is offensive to anybody, I think. It’s the love of family that is so overwhelming. [David Jason’s character, Del Boy] looked after Grandad, he looked after Uncle Albert. He made sure that they were fed and clothed and loved them,’ she continued.

‘It’s so lovely that there is so much love out there still for the show. And I think that’s part of the reason for that.

‘You know, this family, though his business dealings weren’t always absolutely as they should be, but you know, they don’t drink and drive, they don’t take drugs, they don’t swear. It’s gorgeous family entertainment. We miss it. Nothing is quite like that anymore.’

The actor also argued that it was ‘difficult’ to write comedy in the current socio-political climate, because writers were no longer free to be ‘filthily rude’.

I think it must be terribly difficult, because I mean part of the fun, especially with satire, you rely on being filthily rude about everybody and everything, don’t you, which is what makes people laugh,’ she said.

She then took aim at social media for providing a platform for people to get ‘worked up’.

‘And now you say the slightest thing is going to upset people, because this whole online thing is new, isn’t it? When we were making Only Fools and Horses, there was no social media. It didn’t exist, did it? So, people couldn’t get worked up and wild about tiny little things.’

She went on to say there were already ‘signs’ that comedy isn’t as funny as it used to be.

‘Let’s hope it’s going to change. Let’s hope that somehow, we can work out that people don’t actually get offended quite as easily as they think they do.’

Aside from appearing on Only Fools and Horses, Sue also featured in other shows including Doctors, EastEnders and The Madame Blanc Mysteries.

Hot Property Picks from Metro

  • What I Own: At 25, I own two homes — including my £158,000 Glasgow bolthole
  • This isolated island home is only accessible by ferry — and it’s less than £100,000
  • 'Quaint' but 'boring' city crowned the best place in the UK to get a job
  • 'Magical' uninhabited island once visited by Vikings up for sale for £190k
  • What I Own: I purchased my £592,750 East London two-bed flat at the age of 22

Only Fools and Horses is streaming on ITVX.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : This Morning fans blown away by 80s TV legend’s appearance after discovering her real age

MORE : Evelyn Thomas, known for iconic 80s dance hit High Energy, dies aged 70

MORE : All the eighties TV shows getting rebooted – including the one that shouldn’t

Only Fools and Horses' Sue Holderness blasts critics of 'controversial' episode (6)

Only Fools and Horses' Sue Holderness blasts critics of 'controversial' episode (2024)

FAQs

Only Fools and Horses' Sue Holderness blasts critics of 'controversial' episode? ›

Only Fools and Horses star Sue Holderness has expressed her concern that the fear of causing offence and facing backlash on social media is damaging comedy. She believes a "controversial" banned episode should still be broadcasted.

What is the most viewed episode of Only Fools and Horses? ›

"Time on Our Hands" is an episode of the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. First screened on 29 December 1996, it was the final episode of that year's Christmas trilogy and the fifteenth Christmas special overall. It attracted a television audience of 24.3 million, a record for a British sitcom.

What is the Only Fools and Horses episode when Del falls through the bar? ›

Yuppy Love

Did the cast of Only Fools and Horses get along? ›

Sir David openly admitted in an interview that he no longer spoke with Nicholas, saying: "He's much more, how can I say, self-contained, perhaps, than he used to be. So, unfortunately, we don't see each other as much as I'd like to. But that's how things work out sometimes."

Did John Sullivan appear in any episodes of Only Fools and Horses? ›

John Sullivan: Writer made just one appearance in the series, in Time on Our Hands (1996), where he can be briefly seen sitting at a table at the beginning of the pub scene.

Which Only Fools and Horses episode is banned? ›

One of the most 'controversial' episodes that Holderness spoke out in defence of is From Prussia with Love. The episode in question follows Del Boy as he tries to sell a German woman's baby to Boycie and Marlene.

What is the famous line from Only Fools and Horses? ›

Before I wake up with a bloody horses head on me pillow!” “God knows how you've got the courage to walk down dark alleys wearing all that gold.

Do David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst like each other? ›

Not as close as they once were. Their staged fight took place in the late eighties, but the once-solid bond between David and Nicholas sadly weakened over the next couple of years. This was despite their past admissions of being great pals outside of the Only Fools and Horses set.

Did Del Boy and Rodney fall out in real life? ›

There'd been rumours of a fall out with Lyndhurst, but the 83-year-old, who first starred as wheeler-dealer Del in 1981, said in the brand new documentary celebrating the series' best bits, that: 'You couldn't have had a better co-partner than Nic.

Who was the first choice to play Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses? ›

Jim Broadbent, who was originally considered to play Del Boy, made three appearances as DCI Roy Slater. The most frequent roles for guest actors in Only Fools and Horses were as Del or Rodney's one-time girlfriends, barmaids at the Nag's Head, or individuals the Trotters were doing business with.

Is David Jason a millionaire? ›

According to CelebrityNetWorth, David Jason has a net worth of $10million (£7.2million), which has come from his roles such as Only Fools and Horses, A Touch of Frost and Open All Hours. David's entertainment debut 1966 with a series called Crossroads and he played Bernie Kilroy for 18 episodes.

What was the very last episode of Only Fools and Horses? ›

"Sleepless in Peckham...!" is the final episode of BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

How old was David Jason when he played Del Boy? ›

Although Del Boy's age was never clearly mentioned, it was figured out that he was 36 years old during the debut episode in 1981. At the time, actor David was 41 years old while Nicholas just turned 20.

What is the highest viewer count for Only Fools and Horses? ›

The show was not an immediate hit with viewers and received little promotion early on, but later achieved consistently high ratings, and the 1996 episode "Time on Our Hands" (originally billed as the last episode) holds the record for the biggest UK audience for a sitcom episode, attracting 24.3 million viewers.

What is the funniest episode of Only Fools and Horses? ›

The best from S6 for me was Chain Gang. The best special was probably either Time On Our Hands or The Jolly Boys Outing. Overall, probably Chain Gang (best series episode) and Time On Our Hands as the best special, The Jolly Boys Outing is a close second.

What was the most watched TV episode ever? ›

Of the 30 most-watched telecasts, 27 are Super Bowls. The Apollo 11 moon landing is generally considered to have been the most watched event in American television history with an estimated viewership of between 125 and 150 million viewers.

What is the famous watch in the Only Fools and Horses? ›

In the Old Fools and Horse episode the auctioneer described Del Boy's discovery as a “solid silver pocket marine timekeeper… the most significant discovery in horological terms of this century. It is the last watch ever made by John Harrison. It is the fabled H6, the until now mythical 'lesser' watch.”

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Nicola Considine CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5243

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nicola Considine CPA

Birthday: 1993-02-26

Address: 3809 Clinton Inlet, East Aleisha, UT 46318-2392

Phone: +2681424145499

Job: Government Technician

Hobby: Calligraphy, Lego building, Worldbuilding, Shooting, Bird watching, Shopping, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.