Sir David Jason Reflects on Iconic ‘Only Fools and Horses’ Moments and Career

Sir David Jason, renowned for portraying the iconic character Derek “Del Boy” Trotter in the British sitcom “Only Fools and Horses,” has shared insights into his storied career in his memoir, “My Life.” The beloved sitcom, which followed the endeavors of a working-class family in Peckham striving for wealth, captivated audiences and became a cultural staple in the UK.

One noteworthy anecdote from Jason’s memoir highlights a memorable scene from the show’s third series. In it, Grandad, played by Lennard Pearce, delivers a spontaneous line that drew an uproarious response from the live studio audience. “There’s a moment in series three when Del and Rodney are arguing about Rodney’s plans to invest his £200 in a self-catering holiday business,” Jason wrote. “Suddenly, Grandad interjects with, ‘What you got, Rodney – a Wendy house?’ The laughter was unparalleled, threatening to spill over into the next episode.”

Jason humorously recounted how the incident led to the creation of an unofficial “laughter rating system” among the cast and crew, where jokes were rated on a scale from “mini-Wendy” to “full-blown Wendy.”

In related revelations, Oscar-winning actor Jim Broadbent disclosed that he was originally considered for the role of Del Boy but declined due to prior commitments. First-choice Enn Reitel also passed on the role before it was ultimately awarded to Jason. Broadbent reflected on this twist of fate, humorously stating, “My biggest contribution to British culture is not being available!”

In interviews, Sir David Jason has expressed some regret over the overshadowing presence of his character Del Boy throughout his career. Despite a distinguished career in television and film, Jason confided to BBC‘s Jon Kay that the “ghost” of Derek Trotter follows him, leaving him feeling as though his other accomplishments have been somewhat eclipsed.

Jason also shared a long-standing aspiration to perform at the National Theatre, a dream he feels might be out of reach due to advancing age and memory concerns. Nevertheless, he jokingly extended an open invitation to the National Theatre, signaling his willingness to take on new challenges.

Despite mixed feelings about being primarily recognized for one role, Jason has expressed a willingness to reprise Del Boy, although a series reboot seems unlikely following the passing of the show’s creator, John Sullivan.