Del Boy Too Mean? Why Writer John Sullivan Banned One Only Fools and Horses Episode

Only Fools and Horses is one of the most beloved British sitcoms of all time, known for its witty writing, lovable characters, and hilarious hijinks. 

According to the recent Channel 5 documentary, "Only Fools and Horses: Secrets and Scandals," one particular episode of the beloved sitcom faced a surprising fate. Writer John Sullivan made the decision to ban the episode titled "A Royal Flush" after feeling dissatisfied with how it portrayed the iconic character Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter, played by David Jason. Originally aired as a festive special in 1986, the episode received mixed reviews from both viewers and critics with many disliking this side of Del Boy where he was sabotaging his brother's future. The character of Derek engaged in belittling behaviour towards Rodney during a posh dinner and even threatened an audience member at the opera. These actions were considered out of character for Derek, leading writer John Sullivan to make the decision that the episode should never be repeated.

In "A Royal Flush", Rodney Trotter, portrayed by Nicholas Lyndhurst, encounters the daughter of a Duke, prompting Del Boy to step in and assist his brother in making a favourable impression. Despite its substantial viewership of 18 million on Christmas Day 1986, John Sullivan reportedly held strong negative feelings towards the episode and felt Jason wasn't able to work his charm with audiences because it was filmed on location making the character less loveable. This admission sheds light on the creative process of John Sullivan, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining the integrity of the characters and the show's overall reputation. 

As fans continue to cherish the timeless storylines and usually endearing characters of Only Fools and Horses, the revelation of the banned episode adds an intriguing layer to the show's narrative and the creative decisions behind its success. TV producer Richard Latto shared his thoughts on the unedited version of the episode, expressing his view that it was a challenging watch due to Del Boy's perceived cruelty towards Rodney. 

In an article with The Daily Record, light was shed on the episode's release history, revealing that the unedited version was released on VHS in 1998, almost a decade after its initial airing. It was later made available on DVD in 2005. However, it is reported that at the request of writer John Sullivan, the DVD version underwent significant edits. Around 18 minutes of footage were purportedly removed, and audience laughter was added to modify the episode's tone.

These edited versions of the episode were subsequently used in later releases and television repeats. However, it's worth noting that both the edited and unedited versions were remastered for a Blu-Ray collection released last year, providing fans with an opportunity to revisit the episode in various forms.

Chris Wadsworth, an editor on the sitcom, shed light on the episode during a special, describing it as "cruel" and "dark." “Some 20 years later [John] said 'Can we do anything to take out Del being nasty?'. The episode was shown to an audience to get a laughter track”.

To gauge audience reaction and enhance the comedic elements, the episode was shown to a live audience, allowing for the addition of a laughter track. This approach aimed to alleviate some of the episode's harshness and bring a more light-hearted tone to certain scenes, aligning them more closely with the show's overall comedic style.

What Happens In "A Royal Flush"?

As Del Boy energetically sells cutlery to the local market crowd, Rodney's attention is captured by a charming young woman named Vicky. Intrigued, he leaves his lookout position and engages in conversation with her at Sid's café. Vicky reveals herself to be Lady Victoria Marsham-Hales, the daughter of the Duke of Maylebury, with a connection to the royal family. Rodney sees this as an opportunity to improve their financial situation, and Del eagerly jumps on board.

Del takes it upon himself to assist Rodney in building a friendship with Lady Victoria. He secures tickets for the opera Carmen, and they all attend the performance together. However, the evening takes a turn when Del's ex-girlfriend June Snell and Del himself disrupt the night by being loud, eating snacks, and arguing with other audience members. Despite the chaos, Victoria extends an invitation for Rodney to stay at Covington House for the weekend.

In an attempt to make a good impression, Del insists that Rodney dress like a country gentleman in a tweed suit. However, things become increasingly uncomfortable for Rodney when Del arrives with Albert, claiming to have brought Rodney's forgotten evening suit. Rodney knows that Del purposely removed it to have an excuse to show up. As tensions rise, Del introduces himself to Victoria's father, Henry, and invites himself to the dinner. Del's behavior during the clay pigeon shoot and the subsequent dinner only further infuriate Henry, who eventually demands that Del, Rodney, and Albert leave the house immediately.

Back at the flat, Rodney vents his frustration and disappointment to a hungover Del. He blames Del for ruining his chances at success and independence, culminating in his decision to punch a vent cover in anger, injuring his hand. Rodney reveals that he turned down a £1,000 payoff from Henry to stop seeing Vicky, which infuriates Del as he had arranged the offer. Del half-heartedly apologizes and extends his hand for a shake, but it turns out to be a ploy to inflict pain on Rodney's injured hand as a form of retribution for rejecting the payment.

This tumultuous episode highlights the strained relationship between Del and Rodney, as well as the consequences of Del's misguided attempts to help Rodney secure a prosperous future. It serves as a reminder that good intentions can sometimes lead to unforeseen complications and strained family dynamics.

Filming Only Fools And Horses' A Royal Flush

This episode drew inspiration from two sources. First, the increasing proximity between the younger aristocracy and the working class, as depicted in the newspapers. Second, the reports of Special Branch's involvement in safeguarding the younger royals from potential abductions. Combining these elements, writer John Sullivan crafted a storyline in which Del would protect Rodney while also aiming to profit from the situation. Despite Del's seemingly callous behavior in the episode, his intentions were ultimately driven by a genuine concern for his brother.

Filming for the episode commenced in November 1986 in Salisbury. The scenes set at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane were filmed there, except for the auditorium scenes and the performance of Carmen, which took place at the Buxton Opera House. The production faced delays on two occasions due to the illnesses of David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst. During the filming of the dinner scene towards the end of the episode, John Sullivan was in Paris working on another project, later expressing regret and dissatisfaction with the scene. Producer Ray Butt concurred, taking responsibility and acknowledging that Del's character turned excessively nasty, losing the warmth associated with him. Jason also admitted that the scene might not have lived up to its potential.

Originally intended to be recorded in front of a live studio audience, time constraints made it unfeasible, resulting in the absence of a laughter track in the original version of the episode. On Christmas morning of 1986, Ray Butt and Tony Dow completed the editing, just in time for its scheduled broadcast. There were concerns about meeting the deadline, and a contingency plan was devised, which involved broadcasting the final scene from the flat live.

The episode was screened for members of the Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society, capturing their laughter and serving as the new laughter track. Known as the "writer's cut," this version became the primary one for subsequent home video releases and TV repeats. In 2021, both versions of the episode were remastered in high definition and released together on Blu-ray.

While the episode remains a notable entry in the Only Fools and Horses series, its original ban serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining characters' integrity and ensuring the balance of humour and empathy for a successful sitcom. Only Fools and Horses and the characters of Del Boy and Rodney have remained a staple favourite in British culture for decades and its carefully crafted storylines and characters by John Sullivan is the main reason for that.

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