Sir David Jason has revealed one criticism he has about his iconic role of Del Boy Trotter on beloved sitcom, Only Fools and Horses.
The comedy ran from 1981 to 1991 but its popularity saw several Christmas specials for more than a decade later, re-runs of which still delight fans more than 20 years on.
Jason’s Del Boy has become a legendary figure in British comedy and the London-based series is still praised as one of the very best.
However, the 83-year-old actor has admitted there’s also a downside to the show’s huge fan base as he is still constantly asked to pose for photos with followers.
“Del Boy is a character that I can’t avoid,” he reflected. “He’s become so ingrained in the public’s mind that where I got, I tend to be recognised and then what happens is that people can’t help but interfere with your private life.”
Speaking to the Daily Star, he went on: “It’s part of the job. It’s part of giving your time and your life to the Great British public, God bless them.”
The show remains hugely popular to this day
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The extent of the public’s love for the series is so strong rumours still occasionally spiral about a reboot or revival.
Addressing this recently, Jason confessed he would have doubts about revisiting the BBC programme, putting and end to fans' desperate hopes for more episodes.
Speaking earlier this year to Radio Times, he shared: "I’ve had offers over the years, but without John Sullivan [show creator who died in 2011] it just wouldn’t work.
"He was a magician and could whip up humour out of virtually nothing – that was his genius. Without him, I don’t see it working, sadly."
The 83-year-old said he is still swarmed by fans of the show
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However, the actor has recently been back on screens alongside The Repair Shop star Jay Blades.
The duo fronted David and Jay’s Touring Toolshed, which saw the pair travelling around the UK to find out more about new crafts.
Taking about how his signature role follows him around he told The Daily Star: “When we got to these places, we have a fenced-off area.
“We’re in a little area of our own so that the public can see us and see what we’re up to but can’t actually get in and pull at your shirt tails and say, ‘Give us a selfie.’”
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The Only Fools and Horses stars are often rumoured to be 'feuding' but Jason denied this
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Another rumour that frequently does the rounds surrounding Jason is his speculated “rift” with Only Fools co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst, who starred as Del Boy’s brother Rodney.
Speaking on a Channel 5 documentary last year, Jason quashed such rumours, explaining: “You couldn’t have had a better co-partner than Nic.
“We liked and respected each other so much, we were genuinely good friends.”
He went on to tell Radio Times that he and Lyndhurst “don’t see each other as much as I would like to”.
