Hi-de-Hi! legend Su Pollard tells 'scared' TV bosses to 'get some balls' over classic comedy warnings
Hi-de-Hi! legend Su Pollard has criticised broadcasters and streaming services for slapping trigger warnings on classic comedy shows, insisting viewers should judge older comedy in its historical context.
Su Pollard has told "scared" TV bosses to "get some balls" as she criticised broadcasters and streaming services for slapping trigger warnings on classic comedy shows.
The Hi-de-Hi! icon did not hold back when asked about the growing use of warnings highlighting potentially offensive or outdated language in older programmes, giving a blunt message to networks who may feel increasingly worried about the content of their comedy archives.
BANG Showbiz asked Su, 76, for her views on classic sitcoms being accompanied by disclaimer warnings at the Great British Theatres Awards, held at Central Hall Westminster on Monday night (02.11.26).
The acting legend declared: "There's absolutely no b***** need for it at all because people said things like that back then, and people will get warnings for what they say now in 10 years' time.
"So you just have to say, 'Oh, don't be b***** ridiculous."
Asked whether broadcasters should be less cautious about potentially offending viewers, Su was equally forthright, insisting viewers should judge older comedy in its historical context.
The You Rang, M'Lord? star said: "Yeah, they absolutely should. They're so scared of offending. Well, who's decided what's offensive or not?
"Get some balls!"
Su's comments come as broadcasters and streaming services continue to review how older TV programmes are presented to modern audiences, with some coming with content warnings for episodes containing language or attitudes that may now be considered offensive.
In January 2025, multiple episodes of the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horse, available on ITVX, were flagged for offensive and outdated language.
Episodes such as The Russians Are Coming, The Yellow Peril and Who's a Pretty Boy, carry a note reading: "Contains some offensive racial language of the time."
U+Gold has also aired classic episodes alongside warning messages.
Channel 4 attracted attention in February 2025 after adding a disclaimer to a 1998 episode of its sitcom Father Ted, titled Are You Right There, Father Ted?, citing "language and racial impersonation which some viewers may find offensive".
In April 2024, the BBC and ITV's subscription service BritBox slapped warnings on episodes of the 1980s sitcom Terry and June, highlighting "discriminatory language of the period".
In response, BritBox said: "Programming that contains potentially sensitive language has carried appropriate warnings since our launch.
"We regularly re-examine our historical programming in order to review, re-label, provide context and ensure the right guidance is in place for viewers."
The streaming service has also placed warnings on a number of older shows over the years, including the BBC sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!, which was set during the German occupation of France during the Second World War.
The warning read: "This classic comedy contains language and attitudes of the time that may offend some viewers.”
In 2021, an insider told the Daily Star newspaper's Hot TV column: "Bosses are worried the pantomime-esque sexual innuendo and the stereotyping of French and German characters could cause offence in today’s ‘woke’ world."
