SIR David Jason has revealed his Only Fools and Horses legacy has left him ‘upset’ as he reflects on his career.
The beloved actor is best known by fans for his portrayal as Del Boy Trotter in the BBC sitcom.
He played the role for seven series, but has also starred in other hits such as Open All Hours, Danger Mouse and A Touch of Frost.
But Sir David, 84, has described Del Boy’s character as a ‘ghost’ that continues to stay with him.
He said: “That Derek Trotter thing, who’s like a bit of a ghost that comes along behind me like A Christmas Carol.
“‘Haunted’ is perhaps too [strong], no. He’s with me all the time, meaning whether we call it haunted, I do say that he’s on my back all the time, because wherever I go, people recognise me as the character and you’re always getting people saying ‘Lovely jubbly!’ and all of that.
“Which only hangs me back, only upsets me slightly, because that seems to be the only thing that people remember me for.”
Sir David continued to BBC Breakfast: “I’m delighted in one way that it’s reached so many people and they’ve enjoyed what I’ve done with the character, but I’ve done so many other things that everyone seems to have forgotten about, and it’s only [as if] I’ve ever played Derek Trotter.”
Meanwhile, the acting legend recently called on Beeb bosses to bring back a classic sitcom.
He revealed he wants to revisit Still Open All Hours so he could “tie up” loose ends.
Sir David explained: “Roy Clarke who was the original writer of Still Open All Hours and Open all hours, by the way, had already half-written or three-quarters-written the whole series for the last series because it’s the one where Granville and Mavis – wavy Mavi – they get married and all of the other characters complete their storylines.
The series would be the ultimate payoff to long-time fans of the Open All Hours franchise, which began back in 1976.
The original series ended in 1985, but returned in the form of sequel series Still Open All Hours in 2013. Six series of the show aired on the BBC before it was shelved.
Speaking to Jon Kay, David added: “Because a lot of storylines were left a bit open. It was cancelled originally, as you said, because of Covid, and they thought this would really be lovely to wind it all up.”
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