What happened to the dolls after filming? Legend has it they were stored in a BBC props cupboard for years, causing endless giggles from every stagehand who stumbled upon them. One was even reportedly used as a prank on the set of EastEnders, left lounging in the Queen Vic’s beer garden overnight. Can you imagine the shock of poor old Dot Cotton finding that at 6am?
So next time you see a cheap inflatable novelty at a party shop, doff your cap to the memory of Del and Rodney. They took a piece of pure, naff plastic and turned it into a shining, hilarious gem of British comedy. And they did it with a straight face—something the poor doll never had.
Because, as Del would say, “It’s not just a doll, Rodney. It’s a lifestyle choice.” And anyone who’s ever spent an evening alone with a bucket of fried chicken and a remote control knows exactly what he means.
