Sir David Jason has revealed Only Fools and Horses’ “biggest mistake”.
The actor has admitted his belief that Del Boy’s millionaire status in the show was a mistake, as it took away from the show’s charm. In the 1996 Christmas special, Time On Our Hands, Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter and his brother Rodney become millionaires after selling an 18th Century Harrison marine watch at Sotheby’s for £6.2 million.
The episode, watched by 24.3 million viewers on BBC1, marked a high point for the Trotters. However, Sir David feels that allowing the character to achieve his dream was a misstep by writer John Sullivan. He believes that the struggle to survive was what made the show so humorous.
READ MORE:Tearful Only Fools fans agree on ‘one good thing’ from show’s ‘saddest scene’
Click for more brilliant Daily Star showbiz stories
At a fan convention, he stated: “There was nowhere to go after the Trotters became millionaires and it all worked out. It was the end of a journey and the journey was that struggle for survival, the struggle for the family, the way that they behaved, that interaction and all of that stuff that made the Trotters ceased to exist once they had become millionaires, if you like.”
(Image: BBC)
Despite this, Sullivan brought back the sitcom for three more Christmas specials between 2001 and 2003. These episodes saw Del and Rodney lose their fortune due to poor investments and return to their flat in Mandela House in Peckham, reports the Mirror.
However, these episodes failed to recapture the original series’ magic. David, who’s a sprightly 84, revealed: “It wasn’t that John had run out of steam so much, but he was so used to working mentally with all of the characters, the style of the cut and thrust of learning to survive on the edge of disaster, as it were.”
(Image: BBC)
Only Fools and Horses first graced our screens on BBC One back in September 1981, delivering laughs with seven series and sixteen Christmas specials until we said a fond farewell on Christmas Day in 2003. Across the board, 64 classic episodes were penned by the brilliant John Sullivan.
And who can forget Del Boy’s famous line, brilliantly delivered by David Jason: “This time next year Rodney, we’re going to be millionaires.”
Join the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!
Through the app, we’ll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in!
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
