Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis slams modern comedies and brands them ‘cynical’

‘Maybe I’ve lost my sense of humour!’ Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis slams modern TV comedies and brands them ‘cynical’ and ‘not funny’


Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis has slammed modern comedies, branding them ‘cynical’ and ‘not funny.’

The actor, 78, who played devious car salesman Boycie in the iconic BBC comedy, said he pined for the days of classic comedies like Fawlty Towers – and admitted he struggled to find the humour in new shows.  

He told The Mirror: ‘I grew up in a different era of comedy, which I loved. All those shows like Fawlty Towers and Dad’s Army…all that character-driven stuff is just wonderful.

Oh dear: Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis has slammed modern comedies, branding them ‘cynical’ and ‘not funny’ (pictured 2018)

‘Some modern stuff has got some great ideas but I just don’t latch on to it. I find it all a bit cynical and pleased with itself.

‘I get sent scripts now and I’m desperately trying to find what’s funny about them. Maybe I’ve lost my sense of humour.’

The star also spoke of his sadness that show Benidorm – in which he played Monty Staines – was cancelled, saying it made him ‘laugh a lot.’

In February John told how  the finale of Only Fools And Horses would have seen millionaire Del Boy celebrate his retirement in the Nag’s Head. 

Icon: The actor, 78, who played devious car salesman Boycie in the iconic BBC comedy, said he pined for the days of classic comedies like Fawlty Towers - and admitted he struggled to find the humour in new shows

Icon: The actor, 78, who played devious car salesman Boycie in the iconic BBC comedy, said he pined for the days of classic comedies like Fawlty Towers – and admitted he struggled to find the humour in new shows

John explained that the ‘lost episode’ was supposed to mark the hit comedy show’s 30th anniversary.

However the sitcom’s writer John Sullivan sadly died in April 2011 before he could finish the script.  

John told The Sun: ‘The 30th anniversary was coming up and John [Sullivan] was in the process of getting together a Christmas special or something.

‘It was going to be Del Boy’s 65th birthday, he was going to retire and there was going to be a bit of a get-together in the Nag’s Head.   

‘But unfortunately [John] got ill and didn’t come out of it.’

He said: 'Some modern stuff has got some great ideas but I just don't latch on to it. I find it all a bit cynical and pleased with itself' (pictured in OFAH in 2001)

He said: ‘Some modern stuff has got some great ideas but I just don’t latch on to it. I find it all a bit cynical and pleased with itself’ (pictured in OFAH in 2001)

Legendary: Only Fools And Horses started in 1981 and ran for seven series as well as 16 hilarious Christmas specials until 2003. It is thought that the 30th anniversary episode would have been the last one

Legendary: Only Fools And Horses started in 1981 and ran for seven series as well as 16 hilarious Christmas specials until 2003. It is thought that the 30th anniversary episode would have been the last one

John Sullivan, who also wrote hit shows Citizen Smith and Just Good Friends, died at the age of 64 in April 2011 after a battle with viral pneumonia.     

Only Fools And Horses started in 1981 and ran for seven series as well as 16 hilarious Christmas specials until 2003. It is thought that the 30th anniversary episode would have been the last one.

Del Boy (played by David Jason) and his brother Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst) became millionaires on the show after they found a pocket watch which made them a tidy £6.2million at an auction. 

And although now many years on since the show’s release, it was reported at the end of last year that David, 80, is allegedly still earning £1 million a year. 

In the last two years, it’s said that the TV star has bagged a whopping £2.3m thanks to his non-stop work schedule which has recently seen him wrap up the sixth series of Still Open All Hours.

Finally made it: Del Boy  and his brother Rodney finally became millionaires on the show after they found a pocket watch which made them a tidy £6.2million at an auction

Finally made it: Del Boy  and his brother Rodney finally became millionaires on the show after they found a pocket watch which made them a tidy £6.2million at an auction