Sir David Jason has been a mainstay of British television for decades and is best known for his role as Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, but he almost didn't get the part. The 86-year-old actor revealed that the show's creator, John Sullivan, initially refused to cast him in the iconic leading role.
It is difficult to picture Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter being portrayed by anyone other than Sir David Jason. The actor has remained a beloved presence on British television for decades, delivering audiences memorable moments of comedy and drama through programmes such as Still Open All Hours, The Darling Buds of May, A Touch of Frost, and Porridge.
Only Fools and Horses Legacy
Only Fools and Horses ran on the BBC from 1981 to 2003, following the Trotter family's adventures from their Peckham tower block as they schemed their way towards millionaire status. In 1996, the Time on Our Hands episode witnessed Del Boy and his brother Rodney, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, finally strike it rich after selling an antique pocket watch at auction for more than £6 million. The legendary television moment attracted over 24 million viewers.
Creator's Initial Doubts
Discussing his acting career's success and the reasons behind it, Sir David revealed to Radio Times: 'I just think, whatever show I was working on, that stimulated other people to say, We could do with him in ours.' He continued: 'Except John Sullivan, the writer of Only Fools, originally said, Oh, we don't want him. He always plays a loser, because he'd seen me as little dreamy Granville. In his mind, I couldn't possibly play a clever, witty hustler, but the director convinced him to at least meet me.'
According to the actor's memoir, A Del of a Life, Sir David was the fifth choice for the leading role, with programme makers originally hoping another future star of the BBC sitcom would accept the part.
Casting History
The BBC comedy's initial preference was reportedly Scottish performer Enn Reitel, who was committed to other projects at the time, followed by Jim Broadbent, who later portrayed Del's adversary, copper Roy Slater. Robin Nedwell and EastEnders actor Billy Murray, who played gangster Johnny Allen, were also considered.
Beyond his portrayal of Del Boy, sitcom enthusiasts will recognise Sir David as Granville alongside Ronnie Barker's Arkwright in Open All Hours, before reprising the role for the 2013 revival Still Open All Hours. He will don Granville's brown overalls once more in a final appearance for the feature-length retrospective, Open All Hours: Inside Out.
