‘It upsets me’ says Sir David Jason has he makes shock admission about Only Fools and Horses legacy
SIR David Jason has revealed his Only Fools and Horses legacy has left him ‘upset’ as he reflects on his career.
The beloved actor is best known by fans for his portrayal as Del Boy Trotter in the BBC sitcom.
He played the role for seven series, but has also starred in other hits such as Open All Hours, Danger Mouse and A Touch of Frost.
But Sir David, 84, has described Del Boy’s character as a ‘ghost’ that continues to stay with him.
He said: “That Derek Trotter thing, who’s like a bit of a ghost that comes along behind me like A Christmas Carol.
“‘Haunted’ is perhaps too [strong], no. He’s with me all the time, meaning whether we call it haunted, I do say that he’s on my back all the time, because wherever I go, people recognise me as the character and you’re always getting people saying ‘Lovely jubbly!’ and all of that.
“Which only hangs me back, only upsets me slightly, because that seems to be the only thing that people remember me for.”
Sir David continued to BBC Breakfast: “I’m delighted in one way that it’s reached so many people and they’ve enjoyed what I’ve done with the character, but I’ve done so many other things that everyone seems to have forgotten about, and it’s only [as if] I’ve ever played Derek Trotter.”
Meanwhile, the acting legend recently called on Beeb bosses to bring back a classic sitcom.
He revealed he wants to revisit Still Open All Hours so he could “tie up” loose ends.
Sir David explained: “Roy Clarke who was the original writer of Still Open All Hours and Open all hours, by the way, had already half-written or three-quarters-written the whole series for the last series because it’s the one where Granville and Mavis – wavy Mavi – they get married and all of the other characters complete their storylines.
The series would be the ultimate payoff to long-time fans of the Open All Hours franchise, which began back in 1976.
The original series ended in 1985, but returned in the form of sequel series Still Open All Hours in 2013. Six series of the show aired on the BBC before it was shelved.
Speaking to Jon Kay, David added: “Because a lot of storylines were left a bit open. It was cancelled originally, as you said, because of Covid, and they thought this would really be lovely to wind it all up.”
Only Fools and Horses' most memorable episodes
The beloved sitcom only aired for seven series but is still adored to this date - here are fans' most memorable scenes from the BBC hit...
- Jolly Boys’ Outing – The humorous episode was filled with disaster and also romance. It saw Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad leave Peckham for a day trip to Margate. However, their coach explodes, Rodney is arrested and Del Boy reunites with Raquel.
- Time on their Hands – The episode sees the Trotters reflect on their life in South London after finally becoming millionaires. Airing in 1996, it pulled in an incredible 24million viewers.
- A Touch of Glass – This unforgettable episode sees Del Boy and his chandelier cleaning service. In hilarious scenes, he and Rodney accidentally drop a chandelier, sending it crashing to the floor.
- Stage Fright – Raquel performs with Tony Angelino while pregnant to perform a duet – but she’s unaware he has a speech impediment.
- Yuppy Love – Derek attempts to transform himself into a high-flyer, wearing a stripped shirt and red braces. It also sees Del fall through the bar, while Rodney meets Cassandra for the first time.
- Mother Nature’s Son – Del Boy inherits an allotment from his grandad, but it’s contaminated by a yellow substance. The Peckham Spring Water business is then born – but it’s actually just tap water from Nelson Mandela House.
- Heroes and Villains – Del Boy and Rodney dress up as Batman and Robin for Harry Malcolm’s party. However, Boycie forgot to mention Harry died, and it had become a wake!
- To Hull and Back – Del Boy is convinced to smuggle diamonds from The Netherlands. PC Roy Slater intercepts them before he’s later arrested for corruption. It ends with Del throwing his £15k over the balcony thinking it was fake – when it was in fact real!
- The Russians are Coming – The threat of nuclear war looms over Peckham so the Trotters decide to batten down the hatches. They build a DIY war shelter – on the top of Mandela House.
- The Unlucky Winner Is – Rodney wins a holiday abroad after Del Boy entered him into a painting competition. However, when he lands in Spain Rodney discovers it’s a prize for children and must pretend he’s a 14-year-old child.