List of Only Fools and Horses DVD cuts

This is a rough guide to the various cuts made to episodes of Only Fools And Horses released on DVD in the UK.

Most cuts date back to the initial VHS releases starting in the early 1990s and were often made due to licencing issues of the music played in the background. Licensing was done separately for broadcast and then, often at a much later date, home video. This meant that sometimes the music granted for use in the broadcast was later refused for use in the home video release.

Some of the edits were made subtlely by replacing music, but some were made by removing entire conversations or even scenes. These edited versions are still the only versions available on DVD today.

In the Late 2000s, changes in UK music licensing arrangements (also known as 'blanket licensing' deals) meant that music previously replaced for BBC DVD releases (such as the initial release of Doctor Who - Remembrance of the Daleks) could now be reinstated as originally broadcast. However, the BBC would first have to re-submit the episodes to the BBFC to be classified, so effectively although the law has changed, the BBC would still have to formally re-release any relevant episode, and could not simply quietly substitute the already existing DVDs on the shop shelves.

The currently available range of Only Fools and Horses DVDs often carry disclaimers such as on the reverse of The Complete Collection which states, 'For contractual reasons certain edits have been made.' Similar disclaimers can be seen on the reverse of To Hull and Back, Mother Nature's Son, Fatal Extraction and Heroes And Villains. However, there is sometimes no disclaimer where the DVD is known to have been edited.

Some of the most noticeable cuts are detailed below.

Series One

All episodes

The original introduction and closing credit theme tunes by Ronnie Hazlehurst are replaced by the more familiar John Sullivan theme tunes first used on series 2.

Episode 3 - Cash and Curry

"Money" by Pink Floyd replaced with STOCK music over the photo montage sequence of Del selling all the Trotters worldly goods.

Series Three

Episode 2 - Healthy Competition

The theme to the 1975 film Jaws has been replaced with a similar track when the Policeman is walking towards the Trotter brothers in the marketplace.

Special - Thicker Than Water

The following lines have been cut, possibly due to sentimental reasons. (Actor Lennard Pearce died in 1984 during the filming of Season 4.)

Del: In all that time he didn’t know if Grandad was dead or alive.
Rodney: Well we’re never that sure!

Series Four

Episode 5 - Watching The Girls Go By

The following lines have been cut, possibly due to sentimental reasons. (Actor David Jason's then partner Myfanwy Talog died in 1995 from breast cancer.)

Albert: Some of them married now, are they?
Del: A couple of 'em are dead.

The following dialogue has been cut because of music.

Del: Oi Orlando!
Yvonne: (starts singing): "I would not leave you in times of trouble."
Del: Yeah that's beautiful Vonny, that is really lovely you know. Yeah you'll go a long way.
Yvonne: (still singing)"We never could have come this far. I took the good times."
Del: That's really nice Vonny, that is yeah beautiful I love it.
Yvonne:(still singing)"I'll take the bad times"
Del: Yeah super... Oi Orlando!
Yvonne:(still singing)'' "I love you just the way you are!"
Del: Gordon Bennett, that’s my bloody earhole Vonny!
Yvonne: Sorry Presh!
Del: Stone me, leave it out.

Series Five

Episode 4 - Tea For Three

Music cut: "I who have nothing" by Joan Baxter and following dialogue.

Dialogue Cut: Various bits of dialogue have been cut when Del, Rodney and Lisa are sitting at the pub table and the flat table.
(Note that Rodney offers Lisa some of the cheeses he brought in the transmitted episode but he puts it straight on the table in the DVD version)

Lisa: Isn't that your uncle?
Del: What's that soppy old duffer up to?
Albert: I'd like to sing a very special song for a very special song for a very special lady who unfortunately ain't with me tonight. I like to think this song was named after my dear sick wife. It is that beautiful ballad, "Ada".
Del: "Ada"?
Lisa: Is there a song called "Ada"?
Rodney: Well there must be, he's AbOUT to sing it.
Albert: (singing) "Ada, you with the stars in your eyes, love never made a fool of you."

View deleted scenes at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqdzuoFNzAE

Special - A Royal Flush

For the UK DVD release the episode was heavily re-edited (including at least 18 minutes of cuts). An audience laughter track was also added. The back of the DVD release refers to this version as 'The 2004 Version'.

The reasons for this alternative edit were because of John Sullivan's dissatisfaction with the finished version as originally broadcast (which is also partly the reason that the episode was never repeated on TV for many years). The final transmitted episode was hastily edited, as it was being prepared for transmission on Christmas Day 1986 and there was not enough time to run the episode in front of a live studio audience. Also, Sullivan has stated that he felt in the scene where Del is drunk at dinner, he came across as too nasty.

The original 1998 UK video release did not contain an added laughter track and more accurately reflected the running time of the original 1986 broadcast version.

Following dialogue cut on both DVD and current transmissions on TV. Notice the unusual dissolve into the next scene at the Trotters' Flat.

<Vicky and Rodney are in Sid's Cafe>

After Vicky leaves Rodney remains seated and totally dumbfounded. He picks up mug of tea and sips it. The old dosser wakes.
Dosser: Oi, that's my tea!
Rodney: (still in a trance) Sorry... (reacting) Eerghh - you dirty old bark!

• No laughter track was in the original broadcast.
• Originally after Rodney said to Vicky in the car that he had contacts who got him the tickets, you see the drivers' eyes stare at Rodney and then shakes his head, now it cuts to their car arriving at the theatre.
• Rodney's reaction at the expensive price of the theatre programmes "eight pounds?" for "Carmen" is cut.
• The scene where Rodney escorts Vicky into the theatre auditorium is cut as Junie asks Del why he didn't get her a theatre programme for the opera and he replies that she can't read.
• A number of short bits are cut from the theatre auditorium scene, including Junie and Del dropping litter on the floor, Del offering crisps to Vicky and Rod, Del argueing with disgrutled patrons, and Junie becoming queasy.
• A short scene outside the theatre between Del and Rod which includes this line " it was alright until Junie did her Psychodelic yodel" is cut.
• A number of short scenes are cut from the Dinner sequence at Lord Melbury's, including Del running his finger around the rim of a glass, a discusion about the 'Shed' at Stamford Bridge football ground and the quality of a player, Del's dialogue following his line "They weren't his drugs", Del's "you thought I was going to say arse" joke and the ski-ing joke, Rodney saying he better not stay the night.

Series Six

Episode 1 - Yuppy Love

Several cuts because of music

Mickey: Jevon! Jevon!
Jevon: What?
Mickey: See the blonde bird? I’ve had her! And 'er mate. See the black sort at the back there! Phones me all the time.
Jevon: You're a hell of a man, Mickey.
Rodney: Mickey, are you doing this for charity?
Mickey: What d'you mean?
Rodney: Well, I just wondered whether it was sponsored [...].
Mickey: I'm telling you the truth, Rodney!

Two attractive girls pass by. They stop and smile at Jevon.

Girl in Disco: Hi, Jevon.
Jevon: Watcher, darling.
Girl in Disco: Not dancing tonight?
Jevon: Not at this precise moment in time. But being a creature of impulse, I am coiled like a spring, ready to move with sinuous grace when the music takes me. If either of you should be in the vicinity when this occurs, then who knows, it could be your lucky night.

The girls both sneer at his flashness, but it's an enjoyable sneer. (they like him and his style. Jevon laughs out loud at his own audacity as the girls move on."

Jevon: OK – I've given you two losers an audience, and now its time to do what I was put on this earth to do – to bring pleasure and excitement into the lives of attractive young women.

This cut leads to the scene at the Disco [...] in awkwardly from the opening long shot to Jevons line "And tonights lucky winner is, that chick sitting at the corner table." indicating Cassandra and her friend.

After Rodney and Cassandra Say Hello their next exchange is cut:

Cassandra: Erm, was there something?
Rodney: What? Oh yes. Would you like to dance with me?
Cassandra: Thank you.

And the final lines of the scene are cut: Mickey: He's paid her, that's what he's done! He's offered her half the winnings!
Jevon: Mickey – shut up!

Two music tracks are cut but its unknown what they are. "Love Goes Up and Down" by Errol Brown is not cut it plays over the whole scene of Mickey, Jevon and Rodney attempting to get Cassandra and her friend Emma to dance.

View deleted scene at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CHxXmOFIV8

Episode 5 - Sickness And Wealth

On the original broadcast version, Simply Red's 'It's Only Love' is playing in the background of the Nag's Head in the scene where Rodney and Albert are discussing their concerns for Del's health with Cassandra. In the DVD and video versions, this song has been removed, and no music plays, removing some of the emotion of the scene.

Special - The Jolly Boys' Outing

The beginning of the scene at the Mardi Gras Nightclub has been cut because of music ‘Just the Way You Are’ performed by Lee Gibson . This has resulted in a 4-5 minute gap in the video release.

Del: Blinding bit of scampi, innit, eh? It’s fresh an’ all, you know. Straight out of the sea into your basket."
Rodney: You don’t get scampi off the coast."
Del: Of course you do! It’s the sea, innit?"
Rodney: Yeah, but it’s Margate!"
Del: Yeah, I know that, but the scampi don’t know that, do they?"
Rodney: No, I s’ppose not."
Del: ‘Ere, what was that starter…um…Cassandra made us last week?"
Rodney: Moules Mariniere"
Del: Mmm! That’s it. They were lovely moules, an’ all, weren’t they, eh? ‘Cos she’s got style, see. I mean that Cassandra is a classy lady"
Rodney: I suppose so."
Del: No, no suppose so about it. I mean, a lot of people- you know, cheapos – would have used mussels – not Cassandra."
Rodney: We get on well."
Del: Mmm? Yeah, of course we do! Blimey!"
Rodney: No, I meant me and Cassandra."
Del: Oh I see. Well that’s good, Because I mean your missus should be more than just your wife, you know. She should be your best mate an’ all."
Rodney: Yeah. It’s just… sometimes you get the feeling…I don’t know how to explain it…Have you ever read a book…(realises that Del has never read a book)…Well have you ever seen the film where someone marries beneath themselves?"
Del: Oh, don’t start that, Rodney! You have not married beneath yourself! Cassandra comes from a very lovely family! Your problem is you’re letting her rule you. I mean, that cobblers tonight – you know, she wouldn’t let you out! I mean, what are you, a man or a mouse? You’ve gotta learn to assert yourself. I mean, I may sound old-fashioned, but you take my word for it, in the end a man likes a woman to be a woman! And a bird likes a bloke to be a bloke!"
Rodney: D’you know you’re right! "
Del: Mmm, that is Bonnet de Douche, as they say in the Basque"
Rodney: (Emphatic agreement) Absolutely!"
Del: Yeah, that’s it. Oh ‘ere, come on. Drink up, we’ll have another one…look who’s here, the three musketeers. (Calls) Oi Boycie! Boycie over here!"

We see Boycie, Mike and Trigger have arrived.

Boycie: Hello Del"
Del: it’s good here, innit eh?"
Boycie: Stunning"
Del: Yeah, they got a magician, a singer and a comedian. The singer’ll be on a minute!"

The singer sings a few more words then reacts to Del’s line.

Boycie: So where are you staying."
Del: Oh, we got a lovely little bed and breakfast, ain’t we Rodney?"
Rodney: Yeah, it’s really good!"
Boycie: Yes, well me, Mike and Alan booked into a hotel down on the front."
Trigger I got a room in a motel. They don’t know I ain’t got a car. (winks in a fooled ‘em way)"
Mike: I’d keep quiet about that if I was you, Trig."
Trigger: Not half."

The Singer ends her act. Applause. Eddie enters stage etc.

Eddie: (Over the boy’s dialogue) And now the Mardi Gras is proud to introduce to you one of Europe’s greatest magicians. Ladies and Gentleman, will you give a big Mardi Gras welcome to the Great Ramondo and Raquel. Ramondo and Raquel on stage – magic begins etc."
Rodney: (Over the above introduction and entrance) Oi where’s Alan?"
Boycie: Oh of course, you wouldn’t have heard about that, would you? Well, you know how much Alan loves shellfish? Well he ate half the ocean bed today. Until at some time or another, he copped an unfortunate whelk!

View deleted scene at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X-8Yjedb_Y

Series Seven

Episode 4 - The Class Of '62

Music ‘Mighty Quinn’ by Manfred Mann, the scene of Del and co singing along drunkenly to the track has been cut from The Complete Series 7 video from 2000 but can be seen/heard on the earlier 1993 ‘Danger UXD’ video, so it is obvious that the BBC had the rights earlier but the record company has since withdrawn them.

1991-1996

1991 - 1996 - Various

Scenes involving the music from ‘The Omen’ where Rodney looks at Damien have been cut from many episodes on BBC Video and replaced by a similar track.

Special - Miami Twice Part 1: The American Dream

Closing shot where Del and Rodney enter plane has been cut from the 1998 video release.

Del: Hey, hey! Come on Rodders! (Singing) Everything’s free in America, kippers for tea in America. (To stewardess) Have a nice day."
Rodney: Oi! Pack it in, get on that aeroplane!"
Del: Alright, alright.

View deleted scene at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3ZlBriaCYc

Special - Miami Twice Part 2: Oh To Be In England

Miami Twice was the name given to the two-part 1991 Christmas special episodes. Part 1 was a standard TV episode, whilst Part 2 was produced as a movie, recorded entirely on film and without a studio audience.

For the 1998 video release, the two episodes were edited together as one continuous episode, and a laughter track was added to the second part for consistency. This resulted in the end credits sequence of Part 1 being removed, and the beginning credits of Part 2 being omitted (which originally appeared over the 'Summer In The City' track). The final credits were also amended to reflect the cast and crew for both parts.

This 1998 Version was also the version released on DVD. The original 1991 'movie' version of Oh To Be In England without a laughter track has never been commercially released on home video or DVD, although it has been repeated in broadcasts.

Soundtrack music track ‘Rockin’ All over the World’ by Status Quo replaced by 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' by Tears For Fears at the start of the episode where Del and Rodney are on the plane. Most dialogue is intact apart from a brief section when Del removes his headphones. On the broadcast, he says, 'Oh'. On the DVD, the sound of him laughing at the start of the scene is noticeably repeated in its place.

Del and Rodney meet the Mafia at the nightclub and the following lines are cut. ('Killer' by Adamski featuring Seal is on the original soundtrack at this point, but this does not seem to be why the cut has been made as other music tracks in this episode have simply been replaced. It is possible that the track was actually being played at the time of filming, and so the dialogue could not be isolated. This track continued originally over the next scene of Lurch breaking into Del and Rodney's camper van.)

Sal: Vacation."
Rico: Oh vacation! Yeah, yeah, I thought as much. Well, welcome to America."
Del: Yeah, well thanks very much, son."
Tony: We don’t get many Australians round here."
Del: Look, we are not Australian, right?"
Rod: We are British."
Rico: British! We love the British! Are you, erm, living locally?"
Del: Well no. No, we’ve got one of them camper things out there in the street, you know. We just whack our bags and what have you in the back and off we go. (Tony talks quietly to Lurch. Lurch leaves the club)"
Pauly: It’s the best way to see the country."
Del: Yeah, well, I mean – you can’t whack it, can you?"
Rico: (Confused) No, like you say, you can’t whack it. So can I get you guys a drink."
Del: Er, well, er no… "
Sal: (Quietly) I don’t think this is wise, Rico."
Rod: You see the thing is, we’ve gotta drive over to the camping-site…sorry the camper-park, before it closes see."
Pauly: Oh come on, you must have time for one!"
Del: Well, we can have one, Rodney, what do you reckon, eh?"
Rod: Yeah, go on then."
Del: Yeah we’ll have a drink with you – let’s introduce ourselves. This is my brother Rodney and my name’s Del – that’s er, short for Derek."
Rico: Hi, Rodney…Derek. I’m Rico. This is my cousin Salvatore and our friend Pauly. (Greetings and handshakes all round)"
Sal: Are you enjoying your stay so far?"
Del: Oh yes, er, great. No, we’re having a blinding time."
Rico: Why don’t you join us?

View deleted scene at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q97C8LYeew

Special - Mother Nature's Son

‘Money’ by The Beatles – has been replaced by an instrumental tune.

Special - Time On Our Hands

The original version features Our House by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the DVD version replaces this with a version with a female vocal. Also notice the female vocal saying "Dogs" instead of "Cats" that was sung in the original by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

There are also several edits to the Nag's Head music in the series but as the music is so quiet, these are not noticeable. The only edits removed because of taste are from "Thicker than Water" and "Watching the Girls Go By", (it was removed at the time when David Jason's partner passed away, although it has been reinstated on recent repeats).

See also

• List of Only Fools and Horses episodes
• Only Fools and Horses Cuts - More information about the cuts made by the BBC