Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Only Fools and Horses Episode “A Royal Flush” Withdrawn Over Del Boy Bullying Row
A memorable episode of the cherished British sitcom Only Fools and Horses was removed from television broadcasts for almost two decades because of its depiction of the popular character Del Boy Trotter as an unpleasant aggressor. The instalment, entitled “A Royal Flush,” originally broadcast during the 1986 Christmas period, featured Rodney (played by Nicholas Lyndhurst) forming a friendship with a duke’s daughter.
Controversial Portrayal of Del Boy
His scheming older brother Del (portrayed by Sir David Jason) attempts to aid him in making a favourable impression amongst the aristocracy but spectacularly fails. The episode was finalised mere hours before it was transmitted and notably lacked a laughter track during its initial airing. Following its broadcast, the show’s creator, John Sullivan, voiced his disapproval of the episode, stating that certain sequences were overly severe and presented Del Boy in an uncharacteristic and negative light. Notably, one scene at an exclusive dinner gathering shows Del Boy cruelly ridiculing Rodney in front of all attendees.
Creator’s Displeasure and Initial Ban
During an outing to the opera, he further irritates fellow theatregoers by impeding their line of sight and menaces a man with physical harm. Sullivan made the decision that “A Royal Flush” should never be re-broadcast on television.
It was not until 2005 that he permitted the episode’s release on DVD, but only following considerable alterations. Canned laughter was introduced to alleviate the tone during more intense scenes, and entire segments were cut, according to reports from the Daily Star.
Editing for DVD Release
Chris Wadsworth, the editor, disclosed in the Channel 5 documentary “Secrets and Scandals of Only Fools and Horses,” “It’s quite a harsh, grim episode. John said ‘This is not a good episode’.”
Reactions to the Episode’s Dark Tone
Reflecting on the contentious Only Fools and Horses episode, TV producer Richard Latto acknowledged: “The original where Del Boy is being quite brutal to Rodney… it is difficult to watch.”
He further revealed that a later effort was undertaken to soften the character’s demeanour: “Some 20 years later he said ‘Can we do anything to take out Del being nasty?’ The episode was screened to an audience to insert a laughter track but I don’t believe we completely succeeded.”