David Jason's Life – Del Boy Only Fools return, heartbreaking losses and marriage

Only Fools and Horses legend Sir David Jason turned 82 earlier in February.

The actor, who was born on February 2, 1940, has delighted fans throughout the decades with his memorable performances in comedies including Open All Hours, Porridge and TV drama The Darling Buds of May.

However, he revealed earlier this year that he would love to play one of his most iconic characters, Del Boy Trotter, one last time.

The news follows the 40th anniversary of the programme in 2021, and many viewers will probably be wondering what Del Boy would be up to now.

To celebrate the news that David would love to return to the role, Daily Star has taken a look at the beloved actor’s life.

Cartoon legend and TV icon

Sir David Jason is one of the UK’s TV treasures and has been a part of the the lives of generations of viewers in one iteration or another.

Since beginning his career in 1965 as King Goose in the TV film of Mother Goose, he has not left our screens, playing some of comedy’s most famous characters.

These have included starring opposite the late, great Ronnie Barker as Blanco in Porridge and Granville in Open All Hours, as well as playing Toad in The Wind In The Willows and Pop Larkin in The Darling Buds of May.

He also showed that he is as talented a drama actor as he is a comedian, with his longstanding role as Detective Frost in ITV series A Touch of Frost, from 1992 to 2010.

However, many fans will also know him as the voice of two beloved cartoon characters – Dangermouse and Count Duckula.

The impact of the characters has not gone unnoticed by the actor either, with David recalling one heartwarming encounter with a Dangermouse fan during an interview with The Guardian.

He said: “The man said ‘Is your name David Jason? Did you play Danger Mouse?’ He almost fell over backwards. He said – ‘I grew up with Danger Mouse. It’s such an honour to meet you.'”

In 1993 he was also made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and in 2005, was knighted for his services to acting and drama.

Del Boy return

One of David Jason’s most famous roles is the wheeling and dealing trades person Del Boy Trotter, with his iconic catchphrases including “lovely jubbly” and “one day Rodney, we’ll be millionaires”.

Almost 30 years since Del Boy said goodbye to viewers for good, David has revealed that he would love to play the character once more.

Speaking at an event at the Royal Albert Hall, the actor reflected on the show’s legacy, saying: “As a show it’s very important we don’t forget about it, it has a huge following, it fills in that need for an awful lot of people.

“It’s funny, amusing and an identity for most people who watch it, who are working class and come from where I come from, and identify with the idiots who are the Trotters.

“They’re just like the rest of us, a family who have ups and downs.”

Having already reprised his memorable roles including Granville in Still Open All Hours, it is no surprise that David would love to revisit one of his most iconic characters one last time.

He added: “I’ve always loved Del Boy, who is such a wonderful loser.

“I would love to revisit him, I need someone to write me a script.”

Will Del Boy become a millionaire once more? Viewers would certainly love to find out.

Secret passion and charity work

When David Jason is not delighting viewers off screen, he is dedicated to charity work, including helping protect sharks across the world as a member of the UK charity Shark Trust.

Away from the limelight, he also indulges in a secret passion – helicopters.

The actor revealed in his 2013 autobiography David Jason: My Life that he is a qualified helicopter pilot.

Boycie tribute

Only Fools and Horses fans were devastated following the death of Boycie actor John Challis in 2021.

The actor died aged 79 after being diagnosed with cancer, shortly after the 40th anniversary of the programme, with fans and stars from the world of entertainment paying tribute.

Although Del Boy and Boycie often landed themselves in trouble with schemes, or shared sarcastic words with one another, both David and John were close in real life.

Speaking on This Morning following the announcement, David reflected on his friendship with John, saying: “John Challis was such a kind and such an ordinary loveable sort of chap. Totally different to the character Boycie he played.”

He added: “A lot of people tend to think that was John but it wasn’t, it just shows the skills that he had an actor to portray Boycie the way that he did because it was totally against his natural nature.”

David also revealed that John’s death had not come as a surprise, as the actor’s health had deteriorated in recent months, but that he was still in a lot of shock.

“It was not a complete surprise because poor old John hadn’t been well for the last month or two but he went downhill so fast, very rapidly, that one minute we were thinking he was on the road to recovery.”

Heartbreaking loss

David Jason has spoken openly about the loss of his longterm girlfriend Myfanwy Talog, who he called “the love of his life”.

Myfanwy was a famous actress who appeared in TV programmes including Ryan and Ronnie, Hawkmoor, Taff Acre and Crossroads: Kings Oak, as well as voicing Mrs Clonkers in the BFG.

The couple met in 1977 and had a relationship spanning almost two decades, but during this time, Myfanwy was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Speaking about her diagnosis, David said: “That was so hard for her to take. Neither of us had known anything like this in our lives before. It was a whole new reality to get used to.

“It was a very stressful time, a terrible, difficult emotional time.”

Myfanwy sadly died in 1995 following her diagnosis, with David going on to set up the David Jason Trust for Terminally Ill Children in her memory.

He also shared in his autobiography that her loss was similar to a story line in A Touch Of Frost, where his character’s wife dies following a long illness.

Marriage

Following the tragic loss of Myfanwy Talog, David Jason met his wife Gillian Hinchcliffe.

Gill was working as a production assistant at ITV, when she met the star through their work.

The couple have been married since 2005 and they have one daughter together called Sophie Mae, who was born in 2001.

David revealed that their marriage also coincided with another happy time in his life, when he received his knighthood.

He told The Guardian: “Gill and I were married at the Dorchester Hotel in 2005 on the eve of my knighthood.

“We’d often spoken about it, but could never come up with a plan that wouldn’t create a fuss.

He added: “A married man, a Sir, and all inside 24 blissful hours.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk