Fools spin-off AXED!

Only Fools and Horses spin-off The Green Green Grass has been axed by the BBC after four series’.

The BBC has decided to axe the Only Fools and Horses spin-off, The Green Green Grass, after four seasons. The spin-off focuses on the characters of Boycie [John Challis] and Marlene [Sue Holderness], both recurring characters in Only Fools and Horses, as they start a new life out in the country. The comedy often revolves around Boycie’s attempts to prove himself as a proper country gentlemen and the fallout from such attempts.

The spin-off was created by John Sullivan, also creator of Only Fools and Horses, and while never attracting the big audiences its parent show did was still something of a hit for the BBC. An average episode of the series was usually seen by six million viewers in its Friday night slot. However, the fourth series was moved to a Thursday evening to avoiding it clashing with the second episode of soap Coronation Street which now airs on Fridays – instead of Sundays. The positioning of the ITV soap on Friday nights lead to ratings declines for fellow comedy shows After You’ve Gone and Not Going Out – both of which have also been cancelled. Ratings for the fourth season of The Green Green Grass averaged four million viewers but the show was expected to be picked up for a fourth.

‘After four series, we have decided it is time to move on from ‘Green Green Grass’. – BBC spokesperson talking to ATV News

The news of the axe comes just days after rumours began that Last of the Summer Wine, another BBC comedy series, was also being dropped by the corporation due to low ratings. In its heyday the popular comedy drew up to eighteen million viewers but nowadays draws a more modest four million viewers. It’s been widely speculated for years that the BBC have wanted to cancel the series but its lingering popularity prevented it from doing so. Actress June Whitfield, who is a regular in Last of the Summer Wine, criticised the BBC for axing the show. Ironically the actress is also a recurring character in The Green Green Grass which has now, officially, been cancelled.

To read our story on the Last of the Summer Wine axing please click here >>