Sir David Jason had blunt response to Only Fools and Horses reunion

01 February 2024 , 10:01

412     0

Only Fools and Horses legend David Jason, 83, is best known for his role as Del Boy Trotter

Sir David Jason appears to have officially shut down rumours of an Only Fools and Horses reunion once and for all.

The 83-year-old TV legend, who played wheeler-dealer Del Boy in the BBC sitcom which first hit our screens in 1981, recently revealed that he would jump at the chance to play his iconic character one more time. It got fans talking with the viewers split about a comeback as many said they weren't sure a reboot is needed.

Now it seems those desperate for the programme to remain in the past are likely to get their way. Speaking in an interview with Radio Times alongside The Repair Shop star Jay Blades, he was asked whether there is a possibility of a reunion in the future. Fans wanting one more instalment shouldn't get their hopes up as Sir David simply admitted: "It wouldn't work."

Rumours were gathering pace that the much-loved show could make a return (BBC/Hungry Jay Media/Rosie Geiger)

The pair were discussing their new BBC2 show, David and Jay’s Touring Toolshed, and the conversation eventually led to the chances of a new series of Only Fools and Horses. Jay said: "Oh, I’d love that. I want to be in it. I could be a long-lost nephew." Sir David responded: "You’d be long, long, long lost if you appeared in it. I’ve had offers over the years."

A return to Peckham wouldn't really be plausible. The main writer of the hit TV series, John Sullivan, tragically passed away in 2011. Sir David went on: "But without John, it just wouldn’t work. He was a magician and could whip up humour out of virtually nothing – that was his genius. Without him, I don’t see it working, sadly."

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness

The beloved show also starred Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong and many more, but sadly not all of them are still with us today. John Challis was best known for his role as Boycie in the BBC comedy died in September 2021 at the age of 79 following a difficult battle with cancer.

The sitcom which was originally broadcasted in 1981 but there's too many complications for a reboot (BBC)

Roger Lloyd-Pack took on the role of Colin 'Trigger' Ball for the entire duration of the long-running show. In 2014, the actor passed away at the age of 69 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Kenneth MacDonald, the long-suffering Nags Head landlord Mike Fisher, died unexpectedly in 2001 when he was 50 years old.

He was on holiday with his family in Hawaii when he suffered from a heart attack. Lennard Pearce, who played Grandad, unexpectedly died halfway through filming the fourth series in 1988. Navy veteran Uncle Albert, payed by Buster Merryfield, was buried in 1999 at the age of 78 following a brain tumour.

Understandably, Nicholas - dim Rodney Trotter on the show - has been largely out of the spotlight since his 20-year-old son suddenly died in 2020. Archie tragically suffered a brain haemorrhage caused by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Speaking about their friendship, in 2022 David said: "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 would like to. But that's how things work out sometimes." Touching on their heyday, Sir David reflected: "I miss it terribly. It wasn't like going to work. It was going to have some fun with your mates. We loved each other."

Sam Elliott-Gibbs