HIS cigar-smoking character was best known for revelling in his superiority over Delboy in one of Britain’s best loved sitcoms.

But the name Boycie just was not up to scratch when it came to naming an up-market Hampshire housing estate.

Locals suggested the new development should bear the name of well-known architect Charles Voysey.

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But housing firm Cala Homes ditched the idea after apparent concerns it would sound too much like the second-hand car dealer in Only Fools and Horses.

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Today outraged actor John Challis (pictured above), who played Boycie, says he “demands an apology” for the name being tarnished.

Resident Chris Sealey said he was staggered to hear the idea had been dismissed based on the association with the popular character.

“You couldn’t, as they say, make it up,” he said.

Architect Mr Sealey says locals have suggested naming the development in Park Road, Winchester, after the popular 20th century architect and designer, Charles Voysey.

He lived out his final days in Park House, a care home in Park Road which closed in 2009, before he died in 1941.

Mr Sealey, 73, retired, said: “I have spoken to Cala who tell me that they have considered this and rejected it on the basis that ‘Voysey’ is too close in sound to ‘Boycie’, the character from Only Fools and Horses, and they did not wish people to make this association with such a prestigious development.

“Quite frankly, no one is going to make the connection.”

His opinion is shared by ward councillor Jim Maynard, who said: “It sounds a bit daft. I heard that they [Cala Homes] weren’t happy about it but I don’t believe that people would make that connection. It’s ridiculous.”

Cala Homes has listed the development on its website as Clarendon Court, after the 24-mile walk linking Winchester with Salisbury.

A spokeswoman for Cala Homes said Clarendon Court is the “chosen marketing name for the development” and it has been submitted to the city council as the official posting address.

“It is the decision of the council as to whether this name is permanently adopted,” she said.

When asked about the Boycie comments, she said: “Any comment that may have been made by an individual certainly does not reflect the views of Cala Homes and we apologise for any offence this may have caused.”