yes but not too many as it is the leaves that make the food for the plant. I have taken 3 of the largest oldest off, there are at least 5 on the plants.

My instinct is to day no for the same reasons as Seaburngirl. However, having just discovered a marrow, rather than a courgette, hidden under the foliage in the polytunnel, it's probably a good thing to reduce the vigour of these plants a bit! I tried to grow trailing marrows to pick as courgettes last year, but the plants make so much growth you can never find the fruit until it's too late and they are enormous.

thanks to those of you who responded. I've taken the "bull by the horns" and cut off only a few from each plant (the biggest ones) and those that looked like they had a little bit of mildew on them anyway. Got stacks of fruit on them so hope they will mature and make some nice courgette fritters from them!! thanks again for your expertise