Did You Know This About…Only Fools And Horses

He Who Dares…

Only Fools and Horses became one of the biggest British sitcoms to grace TV after first airing way back in 1981 (I know, that long ago). David Jason led the show as Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter, who ducks and dives through the world of illegal trading in London, Peckham with his younger brother Rodney played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, their dimwitted Grandad played by Leonard Pearce and later on their ex-Navy uncle Albert Trotter portrayed by Buster Merryfield.

Growing up, we all watched The Trotter clan as they rose from nothing to having families and finding success…eventually. But throughout the shows history, what were the facts behind the scenes of the show? What could have been? What should have been? The team at ScreenHeads have put together some of the facts about the show that gave us the famous falling through the bar scene, hilarious money mishaps and some perfectly timed comic twists. Read below and see if you knew any of these before…

The series almost went on without David Jason

Back in 1986 when the show was at the top of it’s game, lead actor David Jason originally felt it was time to hang up the gold chains and move on from the role of Del Boy. This would have seen Del Boy leave for Australia with old pal Jumbo Mills in the final episode of Series Five titled “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”. Thankfully, Jason ended up staying and the episode ended with Del having a change of heart to stay with his family.

Had the series carried on without Jason, it has been reported that the show would have carried on as “Hot Rod”, having Lyndhursts’ Rodney as the lead and including all of the other characters from the original show.

There were other actors first in line to play Del Boy

Yes, it’s hard to believe but Creator John Sullivan’s first choice for the part of Del Boy wasn’t actually David Jason. Jim Broadbent was actually the first to catch Sullivan’s eye for the role, however Broadbent had just started a show in London’s West End so had to turn the part down – he went on to play DCI Roy Slater later on in the show’s run.

Next in line was Enn Reitel who was working as a voice actor. For whatever reason, Reitel didn’t get the part and choice number three, the Del Boy we know and love, was cast.

Buster Merryfield had no prior acting experience

Rather unexpectedly, Merryfield had worked as a bank manager and done amateur dramatics before he was cast as Albert Gladstone Trotter. Because of this, Merryfield felt extremely nervous in his early days of the show and would make mistakes during filming, such as carrying on his lines before letting the laughter from the audience die down.

At one point, Jason and Lyndhurst sat down with their on-screen uncle as he feared he would be fired from the role. From then on, whenever their was a mistake during filming they would blame someone and make a joke out of it to get the audience involved in the mishap. This relaxed Merryfield and thus history was made with the catchphrase “durin’ the war…”.

Ratings weren’t great for the first two series

Can you imagine just two series of Only Fools? Yes, the first couple of years were tough for the show, not doing great in viewing figures. However, by series four the viewers had climbed to a whopping 15 million and the show rose in popularity. By the end of the 80’s, it was hailed as the best British sitcom.

The show nearly came back in 2011

in 2011, Sullivan approached Jason about returning to the character and playing him in his 60’s to see where he is up to in life and what has become of the surrounding characters. Jason was happy to return, however just two weeks later he was contacted and told Sullivan was in intensive care with viral pneumonia. Although he seemed to be getting better not long after, even being allowed to return home, he had a relapse and unfortunately passed away not long after. From there, any chance of the show returning for even an episode was dashed.

David Jason had a say in Del Boy’s costumes at the start of each series

Jason sure knew his character all right. He knew Del Boy so much that he would go shopping with the show’s costume designer before filming commenced on each series to put together some new additions for the character’s wardrobe.

Chas & Dave were originally supposed to sing the theme song

You think of Only Fools and you instantly start humming that iconic theme tune. But, did you know Chas & Dave were the first choices to sing it? However, when it came to recording, the duo happened to be unavailable.

This left none other than series creator John Sullivan to sing it, and the rest is history.

David Jason and Nicholas lyndhurst were practical jokers on set

The pair became inseparable having worked so many days together and playing the roles of brothers. It got to the point where the pair would play pranks when not filming, such as pretending they weren’t talking so as to worry the crew and turning cast members’ costumes inside out.

One person they would foil in their pranks was Grandad actor Leonard Pearce, doing things such as nailing his shoes to the ground. Though Pierce reportedly saw the funny side most of the time, that day was one occasion were he didn’t. Director Ray Butt had to talk him around and both Jason and Lyndhurst apologised. According to Jason, it was the one time Pearce lost perspective.

The pictures in the intro have a hidden inspiration

It’s no secret that the Trotters are notorious wheelers and dealers, with the show shining light on their goings on and their money making schemes. An interesting detail about this actually into the opening credits.

When we see the main characters, each gets three quick snapshots with their actor’s name. The snapshots are actually inspired by police mugshots. This is due to the fact that the Trotters are always ducking and diving from the law.

Roger Lloyd Pack was in an iconic scene by happy-accident

During production on the first episode of series six, “Yuppy Love”, Trigger actor Roger Lloyd Pack was rehearsing for another TV show in the same building. During a break, he wandered into Only Fools‘ filming to say hello and told creator and writer John Sullivan that he was free if he needed him. Sullivan then quickly wrote him into a scene and that scene happened to include the unforgettable moment of Del Boy falling through the bar.

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Like our facts about Only Fools and Horses? know any hidden facts about the show yourself? Tell all in the comment section below!

Only Fools and Horses is available to buy on DVD and can be streamed on Netflix and Brit Box.