Legendary actor Sir David Jason is set to reunite with his former co-stars for a major new television event. The beloved cast of Only Fools And Horses will come together for a documentary series celebrating the sitcom's 45th anniversary, promising to unveil a treasure trove of unseen material.
The Lost Archive: Unseen Treasures from Peckham
Only Fools And Horses: The Lost Archive is a two-part series commissioned to air on the channel U&GOLD in 2026. The project has been described as a monumental find for fans, as it will showcase an incredible 66 clips and scenes that were filmed but never broadcast. These moments were originally cut for timing or structural reasons when the classic episodes were first assembled.
The series will delve into more than ten iconic episodes, including fan favourites like The Jolly Boys' Outing and Mother Nature's Son. Furthermore, it will feature new material from episodes such as He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle and Time On Our Hands. A particularly exciting discovery is an unseen opening scene for The Class Of '62, showing Del and Rodney in a nightclub.
All this footage has been meticulously restored for modern audiences. The original 16mm negatives have been digitally scanned and restored, meaning viewers will see Sir David Jason as Del Boy and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney in high definition like never before.
A Cast Reunion and Tribute to John Sullivan
The documentary will serve as an emotional reunion for the show's stars. Alongside Sir David Jason (Del Boy), the series will feature interviews with Tessa Peake-Jones (Raquel), Gwyneth Strong (Cassandra), and Sue Holderness (Marlene).
A significant part of the programme will see the cast paying tribute to the show's late creator, John Sullivan, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 64. The series aims to honour his incredible legacy and the timeless humour he brought to British television.
Sir David, now 85, shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating: "The love for Only Fools has never faded. Revisiting these rediscovered moments reminded me just how special the show was – and still is. It's incredible to be able to share them now."
A National Treasure Returns to Screens
First airing on 8 September 1981, Only Fools And Horses became a ratings powerhouse for the BBC and defined the careers of its lead actors. The sitcom followed the hilarious and often poignant escapades of market trader Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and his younger brother Rodney as they navigated life in Peckham, dreaming of becoming millionaires.
Sean Doherty, the director and series producer, expressed amazement at the archival find: "The archive has uncovered some extraordinary material... plus nearly 100 assets from rushes and location filming. We've truly been spoilt for choice."
Helen Nightingale, UKTV's head of factual entertainment, called the show "part of the national DNA" and praised it as "British comedy at its very best." This series is positioned as a celebration of that enduring legacy for its dedicated fanbase.
To watch this exclusive new series, fans will need to tune into U&GOLD. The channel is available on Freeview (channel 25), Sky (channel 110), and Virgin Media (channel 124). The broadcast is scheduled for 2026, marking 45 years since the Trotters first graced our screens.
