'Only Fools and Horses': Del’s Big Lie and Rodney’s Little Life in 1989

The Problematic Gaze

In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we revisit Only Fools and Horses' classic 1989 outing The Unlucky Winner Is—the one where Del enters Rodney’s teenage artwork into a kids’ competition and wins a family holiday to Spain… with a few strings attached.

We explore how this sun-soaked farce touches on the cultural landscape of late-80s Britain—from the rise of the yuppie dream to the era’s growing emphasis on safe sex messaging, and how these ideas filter through the show’s humour and character dynamics.

As Rodney is forced to play the role of a 14-year-old while grappling with his adult identity, we look at how Only Fools balances its sharp wit with emotional moments, and what the episode tells us about masculinity, aspiration, and brotherly loyalty in Thatcher’s Britain.

It’s a nostalgic package holiday of laughs, awkward moments, and cultural insight—bucket and spade not required.

Click here to follow us on all our socials

Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.
And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at [email protected]. We love hearing from you!

Gazer Homework: Watch excerpts from The War Game, from 1965 on YouTube By Clicking here.