Only Fools And Horses viewers 'would call Del Boy a pervert in 2018', says Marlene

He is one of the greatest comedy characters in British TV, the hapless wheeler dealer loved for his get-rich-quick schemes, Cockney catchphrases and dodgy French.

But a former Only Fools And Horses star has said viewers in 2018 would probably not see the funny side of Del Boy if he came new to our TV screens today.

Sue Holderness, who played Boycie's flirtatious wife Marlene in the 1980s sitcom - which starred Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Derek and Rodney Trotter - says political correctness has gone too far and people now would be calling for Del to be locked up.

"The very first episode, Del gave me a big hug, kissed me fondly and pinched my arse and nobody took any offence at it, except Boycie who looked daggers," she said.

"And every time we met that would happen. It's quite fun."

Holderness said she feels sorry for men nowadays "because I don't know how you cope".

"I don't think you would get away with Del Boy pinching Marlene's bottom without everybody saying, 'He's a pervert and that shouldn't be allowed and he should be locked-up.'"

The 69-year-old said that while she supports movements such as #MeToo , men now "don't know how to behave" because "almost anything can be deemed inappropriate".

"A wolf whistle isn't supposed to be allowed now, which I think is such a pity," she said. "It has gone too far.

"I'm sure it will swing back and eventually we'll be able to flirt away again, but at the moment I don't think it's possible."

She went on to discuss criticism of the show being racist, saying: "There have been people saying you could never make Only Fools And Horses now, that it was racist.

"It wasn't remotely racist. Del and Rodney and all that community, there wasn't a racist ounce in their body."

Holderness also spoke about her experiences of the gender pay gap, saying: "Of course women should be paid as much as men. I'm praying that there will be more parts written for women, which is happening.

"I was paid much, much less than John Challis (Boycie) on Only Fools And Horses, and when we got to (spin-off) The Green Green Grass, the BBC did the decent thing and we got parity."

Holderness is reuniting with Sir David in the new series of BBC1 sitcom Still Open All Hours.

She said working with him again for the first time since 2001 felt "like coming home" and "putting on some old slippers".