David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst's snipes over the years and fallout explained
Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and his younger brother Rodney Trotter were thick as thieves during Only Fools and Horses' 22-year run on our TV screens, but things haven't always been so rosy for the two actors who portrayed the market trader brothers.
Sir David Jason, 83, and Nicholas Lyndhurst, 62, both won critical acclaim for their performances in the much-loved BBC comedy, with the pair last appearing on screen together for the Only Fools and Horses Christmas special back in 2003.
The pair reunited and reprised their roles as the Trotter brothers for a one-off charity special in 2014, but their once close bond has seemingly broken since then - with David admitting he doesn't really speak to his former co-star much these days.
Following BAFTA-winner David admitting he'd love to film another episode of Only Fools and Horses - despite knowing it "will never happen" - we take a look at his relationship with his on-screen partner Nicholas and what caused the former pals to drift apart.
Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst often played tricks on producers during their time filming the BBC comedy (BBC)On-set 'row'
David and Nicholas were once so close they used to be able to fake falling out - once staging a row so intense during filming in the 1980s that an Only Fools and Horses producer was left "fuming". The Del Boy actor shared this memory from 1989, recalling: "One day, Nick and I were in our very small caravan on location. We were all fed up because nothing was happening so [we] said 'why don't we stage a huge row and you can storm out and say you're leaving and I can shout at you saying 'don't you ever come back again'."
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He went on to say: "'I never want to work with you'. The whole crew went stiff. Five minutes later, the producer and director came to see me, looking terrified. They asked what was happening and I told them to go see Nick. When they did, I couldn't hold back my laughter any longer. Their faces turned from white to purple. I don't think the producer was very impressed."
Distant friends
Despite their pretend row in the late eighties, David and Nicholas' once close friendship sadly did deteriorate over the following years - even though they had previously admitted to being good mates off the Only Fools and Horses set. David once said in an interview that he couldn't have asked for a better co-star and was "good friends" with Nicholas.
Similarly, Nicholas told Red Carpet News in 2017: "We had a very similar work ethic and ethos - that we wanted to do our best as quickly as possible. You didn't have very long to record an episode [...] We didn't have much time to rehearse it so we had to have each other's back."
David opened up about his relationship with Nicholas during a 2022 TV appearance (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)However, by 2022 things had clearly changed. Sir David confessed in an interview that he and Nicholas no longer chat, admitting: "He's much more, how can I say, self-contained, perhaps, than he used to be. So, unfortunately, we don't see each other as much as I'd like to. But that's how things work out sometimes."
It's understood that Nicholas has kept a low profile following the sudden death of his 20 year old son Archie in 2020. Tragically, Archie passed away due to a brain haemorrhage caused by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Nicholas, speaking on behalf of himself and his wife Lucy Smith - said in a statement at the time: "Lucy and I are utterly grief stricken and respectfully request privacy."
Feud denial
Following David's comments in 2022, rumours were rife he and Nicholas had bitterly fallen out and were no longer on speaking terms. However, it appears that wasn't the case - with David reportedly supporting his on-screen brother following the death of his son in 2020.
Following Archie's death at the age of 20, it was claimed Touch of Frost actor David reached out to Nicholas and his wife Lucy, with a source telling The Sun at the time: "He’s [David] been in regular touch [with Nicholas] ever since and – like everyone else who cares for Nick and his family – is just trying to provide whatever support he can."
David further quashed the rumours last month when a Channel 5 documentary about the success of Only Fools and Horses aired over the festive period. Speaking about Nicholas in the special, David insisted: "You couldn't have had a better co-partner than Nic. We liked and respected each other so much, we were genuinely good friends. You couldn't have had a better co-partner than Nic."
New co-star bond
Earlier this month, it was revealed that David would love to reprise his role as Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter one final time but knows it's not meant to be following the death of the BBC show's creator John Sullivan. But an Only Fools and Horses reboot is off the table for another reason possibly - Nicholas' new-found success over in America.
Nicholas returned to the spotlight last year following the tragic death of his son in 2020, with the Goodnight Sweetheart actor joining the cast of Frasier for the comedy sitcom's reboot. Following Nicholas' first on-screen appearance in October as newcomer Alan, a British professor at the local college, Frasier played homage to former stars and Nicholas' late son.
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Nicholas is now part of a new comedy double act thanks to his role on Frasier (PA)Paying homage to Archie, as the credits began to roll on the first episode of the Frasier reboot, a message appeared on-screen which read: "In loving memory of Gabrielle James and Archie Lyndhurst." A clip of John on the set of the original Frasier then played as he touchingly said: "It all works out."
It seems like Nicholas has settled nicely into his new comedy home, with his new on-screen sparring partner Kelsey Grammar speaking highly of his new co-star. While speaking of the reboot last year, the Frasier Crane actor told Deadline: "And then, of course, there’s Alan, played by a dear friend of mine, Nick Lyndhurst.
"He’s stealth warfare. He is just the sneakiest most talented actor I’ve ever worked with. We worked previously together in London on the musical, Man of La Mancha. We made plans to get [our partners] together and we became best friends. So when the idea of Frasier having a best friend came into the mix, it was always Nicholas. I asked him when we were back in England before we even started if he would like to be in the new Frasier. He said, 'Are you kidding? I would do anything to work with you again every day for the rest of my life.' The feeling is mutual."
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