ONLY Fools and Horses actor John Challis has defended Prince Andrew over his links with Jeffrey Epstein.
John Challis, who starred as Boycie in BBC comedy series, said the Duke of York should be “given a chance to actually make things better”.
Speaking on Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine show, John, 77, also said there is “no proof” in reference to the allegations against 59-year-old prince.
John said: “I think the poor man’s made an awful lot of mistakes which he now regrets, do you know, obviously.
“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 also went on to speak of Prince Andrew’s military service with the Royal Navy during the Falklands War before adding: “I think he should be given a chance to actually make things better.”
Prince Andrew was sacked by the Queen was stripped of his royal duties and 249,000 sovereign grant after stepping down from royal duties on Wednesday.
It came after the controversial interview with Emily Maitlis over his relationship with his paedo pal Epstein.
In the car crash BBC Newsnight interview, Andrew failed to express any sympathy for the victims of Epstein, who was found hanged in jail in August while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
This morning, Piers Morgan laid into Prince Andrew on Good Morning Britain branding him “dim and entitled” following his car crash interview.
‘DIM AND ENTITLED’
The presenter asked this morning how The Duke would “ever clear his name” following his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Piers said: “This is very serious, Jeffrey Epstein may turn out to be one of the worst paedophiles in American history, and we have at the centre of his world even after a conviction, Prince Andrew.
“He came over so dim and entitled in that interview.
“My problem with it is I dont see how he clears his name after partying for four days with a convicted paedophile?”
He accused The Duke of York of “taking us for mugs” with his excuses over his meetings with Epstein.
The Duke was also ridiculed over his repeated denials of any sexual relationship with then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts.
He claimed he had taken his daughter Princess Beatrice to a Pizza Express in Woking on the night he is accused of sleeping with Roberts, a “sex slave” of Epstein.
Prince Andrew has always strongly denied the allegations against him.
Andrew also said he did not regret having been a friend of Epstein, who killed himself in jail aged 66.
The Duke announced he was standing back from all of the organisations of which he is a patron as the fallout from the interview continues.
The interview had been an attempt to salvage his reputation, but now realises ‘he missed a golden opportunity to express sympathy for Epsteins victims’
The Duke defended his friendship with Epstein in the Newsnight interview
