Only Fools And Horses star John Challis has defended Prince Andrew, saying he should be given a chance “to make things better”.

The actor, who played Boycie, said the scandal-hit Duke of York was “a good time lad” who made “mistakes he regrets.”

The 77-year-old spoke out on Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine show yesterday.

It came after Andrew was stripped of his royal duties following his controversial BBC interview about his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

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John said: “I think that the poor man’s made an awful lot of mistakes which he now regrets…

“And what he’s done, retiring and so on from the public gaze, I think is exactly what should happen.

“But I think he should be given a break because, after all, nothing’s been proved, has it? There is no proof.”

The actor continued: “He’s made mistakes and he’s a good time lad and he’s been a playboy – whatever that means.

"But he also flew a helicopter in the Falklands so… that was a good thing and he was very good at it and he did very well out there.”

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Fellow guest Salma El-Wardany claimed it was wrong to say Andrew was “only hanging out” with sex offender Epstein.

But John said: “He’s fragile. He’s fragile like we all are at making these sorts of mistakes.

“I think he should be given a chance to make things better.”

John also complained about snowflakes being offended by Only Fools re-runs.

He was discussing a decision by new streaming service BritBox to warn viewers of offensive content in older comedies.

John said: “There is a simple solution for those who are offended, just don’t watch”.

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