Only Fools and Horses legend says 'controversial' banned episode should be aired

It’s not often a legendary episode is banned from television, but in the age of social media and changing social norms, things that used to be alright to say are no longer appropriate.

With older television shows, it can be a luck of the draw if you come across any episodes without an offensive word or plot line, and that’s why an Only Fools and Horses episode was taken off air.

The comedic show focused on a Peckham family which featured brothers Del Boy and Rodney who get into silly shenanigans, mostly caused by the older brother’s need to make a quick buck.

The episode in question may not have been controversial at the time, but it certainly would be now.

That’s why one of the show’s legendary actors has come out to defend it and claim that it should still be allowed to air.

The 75-year-old actress has blamed social media and the risk of offending people is why ‘comedy isn’t as funny as it used to be’.

You might know her as the character Marlene, the wife of Boycie.

Sue played Marlene on the show. (BBC)

Sue Holderness said that these days, nothing on TV compares to the show she was on because writers are now too scared of offending people.

She said, as per the Daily Star: “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.

"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.”

The episode that many may be offended by if it aired today is ‘From Prussia with Love’, which sees Del Boy try and sell off a baby that a German girl can’t keep to Boycie and Marlene.

It all goes to sh*t (as his plans usually do) when the baby is a different race than the couple, making it obvious that they had adopted, leaving them with no choice but the to leave the baby with the birth mother.

However, Sue insists it’s a touching episode and one of the best they created.

The story focuses on a German woman who can't keep her baby. (BBC)

She said: “It’s a very controversial episode now because everybody’s being so careful about what they say about everything. 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."

Even though Sue is aware that there are people out there who believe some episodes shouldn’t see the light of say, she insisted that the show is a role model to inclusivity and family life.

In an appearance on the Only Fools and Horses Podcast, she said: “Very little in Only Fools is offensive to anybody, I think.”

She added: “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.”