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.

Only Fools and Horses is streaming on ITVX.

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