Only Fools and Horses legend nearly turned down iconic role over four lines and £400
A ONLY Fools and Horses legend has revealed they almost turned down their iconic role for four lines and £400.
The hit sitcom, which is still adored decades on and watched by a whole new audience, aired on the BBC for seven series.
But over 20 years on from its final ever episode, it’s now been revealed how one star almost turned down their iconic role in Only Fools and Horses.
Local second-hand car salesman Herman Terrance Aubrey “Boycie” Boyce was a firm fan-favourite in the show and was played by the late John Challis.
His antagonistic relationship with Del Boy and Rodney Trotter often saw him in the Nag’s Head swigging cognac.
However, in a new interview, his ex-wife Debbie Arnold has revealed she convinced him to sign up to the show – after he was originally given just four lines.
Debbie told Best’s Suddenly Single podcast: “I was the person who made John do Only Fools and Horses.
“He did a series called Citizen Smith and he played almost Boycie in that and Johnny Sullivan [the writer] said, ‘I’m going to write that character into something’.
“John got the script and said ‘it’s only four f****ing lines, I can’t do this darling’.
“I said look, how much is it? He said £400. I said do it. He said, all right then. That was the pilot.”
John died aged 79 in September 2021 after battling cancer.
Probate figure show he left a gross estate of £497,000 with his fourth wife Carol receiving the remaining balance after his affairs were settled.
Debbie, who was married to John for just four years, is a well-known face in soap.
She played Sylvie Hicks and Carole Evans on Coronation Street, Debbie Wilson in Emmerdale and Janice Bolton in Hollyoaks.
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.