Sir David Jason reveals touching gesture from Ronnie Barker after legendary Open All Hours star retired
ACTOR David Jason revealed this morning how the late Ronnie Barker gave him a touching gift.
The two men worked together on classic sitcom Open All Hours from 1976 to 1985.
During an appearance on Chris Moyles‘ Radio X show today, Sir David recounted how Ronnie gave him a certificate with fancy old fashioned writing.
Chris asked if the writing was Calligraphy and David replied: “Yes, that’s it. Yeah.”
David then went on to reveal that the certificate was about a foot wide by about two foot long .
The certificate said ‘Sir Ronnie Barker will give to his honourable friend, Sir David Jason, the title of The Governor which he shall now relinquish.’
Chris and David agreed that the certificate was a lovely thing to do and then David asked Chris if he could guess where it’s displayed.
Chris correctly guessed it was displayed in the downstairs toilet and they both laughed.
David went on to say that: “Ronnie B was, which I learned, so generous with the whole team.”
He said that Ronnie knew that the only way you can get a successful show is to incorporate and encourage the team that you have.
He said: “So, he had time for everybody, and he was generous of spirit and of time.”
David then said: “And because you do hear – no names, no pack drill – mainly some of the big names coming out of Hollywood who can be extremely difficult and a pain.”
David, 84, is best known for playing Derek “Del Boy” Trotter in the hit BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses – and he admitted that sometimes it feels like viewers only remember him as the iconic wheeler dealer.
But he has played a number of memorable characters. One being Granville in Open All Hours and its spin-off series Still Open All Hours.
This is one of his favourite roles, but he believes it remains unfinished.
While speaking to Jon Kay for a segment of BBC Breakfast, which aired earlier this month, David shared his hopes of Still Open All Hours returning for one more series.
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.
The Chris Moyles Show is on Radio X weekdays.