David Jason’s Only Fools secrets – stolen items, brutal ‘storm-off’ and on-set pranks

Few could have predicted a story about a hapless geezer living in Peckham would become the most beloved British sitcom of all time.

Yet decades on, Only Fools And Horses remains in the nation’s hearts and has become a treasured staple of British comedy TV.

As fans continue to celebrate the hilarious stories of tax-evading wheeler Del Boy, played by Sir David Jason, and Rodney, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, some hilarious secrets from the show have now been revealed.

From on-set pranks that went “way too far” to actor David nearly not landing the role that made him a household name, Daily Star has taken a look at some secrets from the set of the comedy classic.

Nearly lost out on Del Boy role

Sir David portrayal of wheeler-dealer Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter has long been hailed as one of comedy’s finest performances – yet fans may be stunned to learn that he very nearly didn’t land the role

The actor said by his “most conservative estimate” he was “merely the fifth option” behind a roster of bigger stars.

Speaking of his casting in his memoir, A Del Of A Life, Sir David wrote in 2020:

Sir David portrayal of wheeler-dealer Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter has long been hailed as one of comedy’s finest performances – yet fans may be stunned to learn that he very nearly didn’t land the role

The actor said by his “most conservative estimate” he was “merely the fifth option” behind a roster of bigger stars.

Speaking of his casting in his memoir, A Del Of A Life, Sir David wrote in 2020:

“Why, perhaps you, dear reader, were considered for the role, too, and turned it down. It would hardly come as a shock to me,”

Voiceover specialist Enn Reitel was believed to be the show’s “first port of call” – followed by Jim Broadbent, who was working on a play at the time.

In recent years, the Harry Potter star told The Sunday Post that he didn’t feel the part was “quite right” for him as he was “too tall” and a “Jack the Lad character was not quite my style”.

Comedic actor Robin Nedwell was approached too, as well as future EastEnders baddie Billy Murray, who played Johnny Allen in the soap.

Sir David admitted he could have been “terribly sniffy” about being so low down their list. However, he decided that being “first in line” wasn’t important – but “being the best you can be when you get to the front of the queue” was.

Stolen items

It’s difficult to top Del Boy’s lovely jubbly personality, but fans can all agree his character wouldn’t be complete without that famous sheepskin coat.

Del’s outfit became a staple of the character’s image on the show and David has since admitted he grabbed a few items of his beloved character’s clothes during his 22-year run.

The star revealed: “How dare you even suggest that I kept that bomber jacket, and that black cap, and that overcoat.

“I didn’t steal them . . . they were offered to me and because they were memories of my character, I grabbed them with both hands. I put them in a big suitcase and off I went,” he told The Sun.

He even admitted his wife “hates” some of the items and encourages him to donate the items to charity.

“There’s still one sweater I wear much to my wife Gill’s chagrin. She hates it and I love it.

“She says I should give it to charity and I say no, it’s my memories of Fools and Horses. I’ll tell you what I’ve also got, that big sheepskin coat that Del wore right at the beginning.

“Unfortunately, I can’t wear that because it’s too loud but I love it.”

On-Set prank gone wrong

It wasn’t just laughs for the cast during filming for the hit comedy show, as many of the actors got up to some hilarious pranks when the cameras were off as well.

David and Nicholas, aka Del Boy and Rodney, were known for their endless pranks on set, admitting that one of their pranks went way too far.

Grandad Trotter actor Lennard Pearce mostly tolerated the endless antics of his naughty co-stars, becoming hardened to their repeated pranks behind the scenes.

One epic prank saw Jason and Lyndhurst decide it would be hilarious to confuse Pearce by making some last-minute prank adjustments to his costume by nailing his shoes to the floor and turning his outfit inside-out.

The incident seems to have been the straw which broke the camel’s back, as Pearce was reportedly so enraged by the whole thing that he refused to work until producer Ray Butt talked him round.

Writing for the Daily Mail in 2013, Jason described the incident: “When filming began, Nicholas and I bonded quickly, despite our 21-year age difference.

We shared a love of mucking about, although we sometimes went too far.

“Lennard Pearce normally saw the funny side of things but once, when we broke into the wardrobe room, turned his costume inside out and nailed his shoes to the floor, he refused to work until we apologised effusively.”

Faked a ‘storm-off’

Sir David starred as Del Boy Trotter for over 30 years but at one stage it looked as though he was bringing down the curtains on his beloved character.

The popular actor has opened up on a humorous prank that saw him pretend to storm off set and quit his job.

He said: “One day, Nick and I were in our very small caravan on location.

“We were all fed up because nothing was happening so Nick and I said ‘Why don’t we stage a huge row and you can storm out and say you’re leaving and I can shout at you saying don’t you ever come back again. I never want to work with you’.”

Sir David explained: “The whole crew went stiff. Five minutes went by and the producer and director came to see me and they were quaking in their boots.

“They asked what’s going on and I told them to go see Nick.”

However, Sir David eventually gave the game away, but not everyone was pleased with the pair’s theatrics.

He continued: “I followed them out and when they got to him, I couldn’t contain myself any longer and roared with laughter,” he told The Sun.