Locals “blessed” to be living in the real Nelson Mandela House from Only Fools And Horses have told council chiefs who want to bulldoze it to “trot off”.
In the smash hit BBC comedy series Derek “Del Boy” Trotter – actor Sir David Jason – and his sidekick brother Rodney – played by Nicholas Lyndhurst – lived on the 12th floor of a tower block on the fictional Nyrere Estate in Peckham, south London.
What appeared on screen as the Trotters’ Nelson Mandela House was really Harlech Tower in Acton, west London. It featured in the title sequence at the start of nearly every episode the smash hit comedy and the 1985 Christmas special To Hull and Back.
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But Ealing Council has earmarked Harlech Tower to be demolished in 2027 as part of an £850million regeneration project to create more better quality housing. The flats developed after WW2 offered residents then-modern features including indoor bathrooms and central heating – luxuries at the time.
(Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga)
Despite taking 30 years to complete Harlech Tower quickly fell into disrepair making it the a perfect backdrop for hapless market trader Del’s dingy home. But the block’s place in TV history has left many residents wanting to stay – despite its metal shutters, crumbling ceilings, broken lights and paint peeling off the walls.
More than 300 have signed a change.org petition to save it. Some think it should be listed. Beverly, 75, who has lived in the tower since the ’80s, fondly recalled TV crews filming the Trotters’ iconic battered yellow Reliant Regal Supervan III outside her flat. “The three-wheeled car used to come along to the little street along here,” she said.
“You could see it from the balcony. There would be camera crews and all that around. I am very blessed to live here. It’s very convenient for trains, tubes, buses, the size of the flat and the windows.
(Image: Getty Images)
“There have been big changes since we moved in but I think I’m very fortunate to live here. I mean nowhere is perfect is it. :ast year I had quite a big of a problem with damp coming down – and they fixed it very well.” She felt “sad” at the prospect of the block being flattened.
A neighbour who had just moved in said: “I like living here. It’s a nice area. It’s quiet. I have had no problems with anyone and everything in my flat works well. It’s a good flat. It’s nice and I have a lot of space.”
Another resident named Shaba, 55, who has lived in Harlech Tower for 18 months, added: “I have no problems. I enjoy living here.” The petition, started by someone calling themselves ‘Derek Trotter’, was launched to ‘stop the demolition of the original iconic building from the British sitcom Only Fools & Horses”
(Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga)
One fan wrote: “It’s a piece of British history. It signifies and memorialises the great British sitcom Only Fools & Horses. It should stand as a monument to the show and its cultural impact.” Another said the block was “an iconic building where people’s homes still are – keep our comedy heritage alive”.
One more said: “Love ofah. So many memories. Let’s keep this Lego set built by the council going.” Ealing Council said the tower block was “widely considered at the time to be a huge step forward” when it was built in 1949 but “unfortunately” it “quickly fell into decline suffering from the same fundamental design and social issues that blighted many post-war high-rise estates”.
“Harlech Tower was already so shabby by 1981 that it perfectly fitted the bill when BBC producers were casting the down-at-heel Nelson Mandela House for Only Fools and Horses’ opening credits,” a spokesman said. Although we have worked hard to maintain it, it has not got any better in the 43 years that have since passed.
(Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga)
“As it is nearing the end of its life expectancy the South Acton estate is currently undergoing an £850 million rejuvenation to become Acton Gardens, which will eventually provide around 3,500 brand new high-quality, safe, and energy-efficient homes alongside a community hall, youth centre, and other facilities.
“There will be twice as many homes at the rebuilt estate than before the regeneration programme started. More than 40% of all new homes will be genuinely affordable – in other words, let at social rent levels. And two thirds of the new homes will be family-sized, replacing the one-bed homes which dominated the old estate.
“The regeneration programme has proved very popular with existing residents – the vast majority have exercised their right to request a new home at the redeveloped estate. The decanting of Harlech Tower’s residents so it can be demolished is provisionally earmarked for 2027.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
