Del Boy star Sir David Jason hates being pestered by fans yelling his “lovely jubbly” catchphrase, a pal has revealed.
The Only Fools And Horses legend, 80, struggles to cope with being recognised everywhere he goes.
He is said to be sick of hearing people shouting Del Boy’s most famous phrase at him.
David has been one of Britain’s biggest stars for decades.
When he was working on drama The Darling Buds Of May, he couldn’t go out in public without being mobbed.
His co-star Philip Franks saw how David struggled with being so famous during a night out.
David Jason is a national treasure after playing Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses (Image: BBC)
He recalled: “We couldn’t walk two steps without somebody rushing up to him and going, ‘Del Boy, Del Boy. Give us a joke. Tell us a joke’.
“People used to want him to be what he was on screen and I think he felt quite ill at ease with that. He’s not a stand-up comedian. He doesn’t write his own material. He’s an actor.”
Biographer Tim Ewbank also reckons being so famous is tough for David. He said: “In his early days he used to be the life and soul of the party. These days fame has completely changed him and one can understand that.
“There are only so many times you can be approached with the words ‘lovely jubbly’ in one day.”
David Jason as he is now – but to the general public, he is still the Peckham wheeler dealer
David, who is also known for roles in Open All Hours and A Touch Of Frost, has been on TV since the 60s.
In a recent interview, he said: “That instant recognition thing can get in the way of real life. People want a piece of you sometimes, which you don’t want to give.
“You might be right in the middle of the supermarket getting a loaf of bread and a tin of beans and a couple of eggs and they’ll say, ‘Can I have a selfie?’
David Jason struggles with being recognised when he is out and about (Image: WireImage)
“That side of the exposure is sometimes not so much fun. But then on the other side, it does open a few doors that would remain closed to most people.”
Pals and co-stars have spoken about him for documentary David Jason: Britain’s Favourite TV Star, which is on Monday at 9pm on Channel 5.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
